Two websites are publishing articles about Easter that include AI-generated content, including fake photos of Alaska Native celebrations. One of the articles disappeared after The Independent asked about it
Juneau is not typically where tourists begin their Alaska road and rail tours. The town’s marine festival is held in May instead of June. And that photo is…well, definitely unrealistic.
Two articles published on travel websites on Easter Sunday about visiting Alaska’s capital illustrate the perceptions — and misperceptions — that people can receive from content that is partially or wholly generated by AI. Both articles focus on three specific events: the Maritime Festival, the Alaska Folklore Festival, and the Celebration, and provide general insights into the upcoming tourist season, with varying degrees of ambiguity and accuracy.
Both articles label photos purported to be of Alaska Natives attending an event in Juneau as AI-generated. One India-based site confirmed in an email to The Juneau Independent that its article text was AI-assisted. A second site, based in Spain, did not respond to questions submitted on Sunday, and its articles – flagged as being largely or entirely computer-generated by two AI detection websites – were no longer accessible as of Monday.
Example 1
Opening paragraph: “As summer approaches in June 2026, Juneau, Alaska will become a vibrant hub for cultural tourism, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world. With a dynamic lineup of festivals including Celebration Festival, Alaska Folk Festival, and Maritime Festival, the state capital will be a celebration of indigenous culture, We’re gearing up for an unprecedented season of music, maritime activity. This festival season not only promises to boost tourism, but will also be a major draw for the increasing number of cruise ships that make Juneau a popular destination.”These events showcase Alaska’s rich cultural fabric and provide unique experiences for locals and visitors alike. ”
Publisher’s introduction: “Travel and Tour World (TTW) is a global, multilingual travel media platform that connects the international tourism community – travelers, industry professionals, businesses and destinations – through information, insight and communication. Built on decades of authority, we have evolved to deliver definitive insights that power business and inspire discerning travelers around the world.”
Chat GPT Rating: 96.6% of articles are generated by AI/GPT.
Notable defects: “Juneau’s Maritime Festival will also be a hot topic.” “Cruise ship traffic is expected to spike in June 2026, bringing more tourists to Juneau than ever before.” (Passenger numbers will remain the same or slightly lower) is expected); “Many visitors will use Juneau as a starting point for long-distance trips to Alaska, whether by rail or road.” Consistently use “native” instead of “native.”
Generic text that can be “swapped names” almost anywhere: There are many examples: “Juneau’s 2026 Summer Festival reflects the city’s deep-rooted traditions and contemporary vibrancy. Each of these events has a unique focus and will play a pivotal role in Alaska’s tourism landscape.”
Example done correctly: “The Celebration Festival is Juneau’s premier event, showcasing the heritage, artistry and culture of Alaska’s Native communities. This biennial event allows visitors to experience Native dance, song and art while honoring Alaska’s diverse Native traditions.”
Website reaction: “While our content may use AI-assisted tools in drafting, all articles are reviewed, edited and fact-checked by our editorial team before publication,” Asmita Karmakar, spokesperson for Travel & Tour World, wrote in an email to the Juneau Independent. “We recognize that transparency around our use of AI is important and are currently considering how best to communicate this more clearly to our readers. We have also forwarded your concerns to our editorial team, who will respond.”
“For images, we have used AI-generated visuals where appropriately licensed images were not readily available. We have also clearly stated in the captions below the images that the images were AI-generated. We also understand and take seriously concerns about cultural representation and are evaluating our approach accordingly.”
Example 2
Opening paragraph: ”Juneau, Alaska’s capital, is experiencing an unprecedented cultural explosion in 2026, as the festival season transforms the region into one of North America’s most vibrant Native American cultural heritage destinations. The concentration of three major festivals – the Alaska Folk Festival in April, the Juneau Maritime Festival in May, and the signature Celebration Festival in June – is creating a surge in tourism that will reshape travel patterns in Southeast Alaska throughout the spring and summer. With thousands of tourists expected to visit on cruise ships and air travel, the city’s infrastructure, hotels and local businesses are preparing for what is expected to be the most significant cultural tourism event in the region’s recent history. ”
Publisher’s introduction: “A travel site dedicated to innovative travel, responsible tourism, ecotourism, travel law, travel news and the curiosity behind every journey. ”
Chat GPT Rating: Article is 100% AI/GPT generated.
Notable defects: “…the most important cultural tourism event in the recent history of this region…” (as the article itself states, because these are repeating festivals). “Juno offers cultural activities with daily outdoor concerts throughout June…”; use “native” instead of “native.”
Generic text that can be “swapped names” almost anywhere: While some may question certain features, which are largely avoided, “The unique festival model Juneau has developed differs significantly from traditional tourist destinations that rely on a single mega-event. Instead of concentrating all cultural programming into one large festival, Juneau spreads out cultural activities throughout the month of June, including daily outdoor concerts, nightly art walks in galleries, theatrical performances on community stages, and local vendor fairs that create continued participation throughout the month.”
Example done correctly: The specific dates of the three events are accurate, as are the general descriptions (the article credits the celebration descriptions to the Sealaska Heritage Institute, e.g. whose website provides a wealth of information to scan).
Website reaction: Contact information listed on the website did not respond to inquiries from the Juneau Independent on Sunday. The article was no longer accessible as of Monday, and the page had not been saved to the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
