GeoGuessing is an online game where players must guess where in the world a photo was taken based on visual clues from the environment. In our version, we take our own pictures and let AI do the guessing.

What you need…

1. Computer, laptop, tablet and/or smartphone.

2. Internet Connection

3. 10-20 minutes

Pro-tip: This activity works best with an internet enabled tablet or smartphone. Being able to take the photo on the device you use to prompt ChatGPT makes things a lot easier.

Step 1. GO OUTSIDE!

If you were looking for an excuse to get outdoors, this is it. Take the family for a hike, ride your bikes downtown, or if your feeling adventurous, take a drive somewhere you’ve never been before. Short on time? You can do this in the backyard and still get great results.

Step 2. Snap a Pic

The point of today’s activity is to see if AI can guess a location based only on a photo. So find a spot that you think might contain some juicy clues (but nothing too obvious) and snap a photo.

Okay, here’s where you can get a bit technical if you want (this is totally optional but could be a good learning experience). We don’t think AI will cheat, but you can make sure by removing the meta-data from the pic. Don’t know what that is or how to remove it, click here.

Step 3. Upload Photo and Prompt ChatGPT

Go to ChatGPT.com and use the following prompt.

Step 4. Enjoy!

ChatGPT will attempt to guess your location, and the best part is it tells you how its thinking through the problem! This is not only a great insight into how AIs think and analyze problems, but its also a great way to learn about the surrounding area.

It will likely start with a broad response and ask you if you’d like it to try to get more specific. I recommend encouraging the AI to go deeper. You’ll learn more along the way and might be shocked at how good at this ChatGPT has become!

Step 5. Discuss

Take some time to reflect on the activity. Use these questions to spark discussion:

1. Why do you think ChatGPT started with a big guess, like a country, before getting more specific?

   • Why It Works: This highlights the AI’s hierarchical reasoning process. ChatGPT often begins with broad guesses based on general features (e.g., “This looks like North America because of the street signs”) before narrowing down.

2. Did ChatGPT make any wrong guesses? Why do you think it got confused?

   • Why It Works: This question explores the limitations of AI reasoning and contextual analysis. If ChatGPT misinterprets a clue (e.g., mistaking a European-style building for one in the U.S.), students can discuss why—like maybe the photo lacked clear landmarks.

3. How do you think ChatGPT learned to guess locations from photos?

   • Why It Works: This gets at the concept of training data and machine learning. You can explain that ChatGPT was trained on millions of images and text descriptions, learning to connect visual clues to places.

4. If you took a photo with no big clues, like just grass or sky, what do you think ChatGPT would do?

   • Why It Works: This question encourages speculation about AI’s dependence on distinctive features for reasoning. It prompts discussion about how ChatGPT needs specific visual or contextual cues to make accurate guesses. Go ahead, try it!

Key Vocabulary

1. Image Recognition

   • Definition: Image recognition is when a computer looks at a picture and figures out what’s in it, like spotting trees, signs, or buildings.

   • Why It’s Important: In GeoGuessing, ChatGPT uses image recognition to look at your photo and find clues about where it was taken, like noticing a red mailbox or a mountain.

2. Reasoning

   • Definition: Reasoning is how the computer thinks step-by-step to solve a problem, like making a smart guess based on clues.

   • Why It’s Important: ChatGPT reasons by looking at your photo and thinking, “This looks like a desert, so maybe it’s in Arizona!” It uses clues to narrow down its guess.

3. Clue

   • Definition: A clue is a hint in the photo that helps the computer guess the location, like a street sign, a type of tree, or a building’s style.

   • Why It’s Important: The clues in your photo are what ChatGPT uses to figure out where you are. More clues make it easier for the AI to guess right!