AI stereotypes: We asked the artificial intelligence algorithms to find stereotypical South Aussies by town or suburb
Think you know what the latte-loving Burnside or seaside Port Lincoln residents typically look like? We asked an AI tool to show us the photos from key SA towns and suburbs – here’s the results.
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This is Sam.
Sam lives in the Eyre Peninsula seafood capital of Port Lincoln and he’s in his early 40s.
He works in the fishing and aquaculture sector and spends his free time fishing in the bay or exploring the nearby Lincoln National Park,
He loves Port Lincoln’s unique blend of seaside and country living, the strong sense of community, and the outdoor activities that make his town special.
And meet Lucy.
Lucy lives in Glenelg and often spends her free time walking along the sandy beach, indulging in the local cuisine at beachside restaurants, or browsing the boutiques along Jetty Road. The vibrant community, coastal charm, and lively dining and retail scene are some of the aspects that Lucy values about living in Glenelg.
Sam and Lucy don’t actually exist, they are merely the figments of the electronic imagination spat out when we used ChatGPT and art program Midjourney to work out who these artificial intelligence programs think we – as South Australians – actually are.
And, well, they did a pretty good job to be fair.
“Some of images look a little similar, and the fact that it’s crunching raw averages means there’s not a lot of diversity, but that’s exactly why, according to Dr Ehsan Abbasnejad from Adelaide University’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning, we should still exercise some caution when it comes to putting too much stock in this new technology.”
“There are certainly concerns about people taking this technology too seriously,” Dr Abbasnejad said.
“A lot of this technology is still in its beta, or experimental, phase. We shouldn’t be using the outcomes of these models for decision making beyond what they’re designed for.
“Obviously these companies and universities are working on identifying issues and solving those issues, but it’s not always easy. That’s why they require a bit more awareness from the people using them.”
Dr Abbasnejad said some of the concerns around privacy, data collection and the verification of truth had merit, but he believed that the rise of AI would ultimately have many more benefits that drawbacks.
“It’s a polarising question – there are people who are really scared about AI and people who are optimistic about it,” he said.
“I’m on the optimistic side. I feel like there are lot of opportunities and the potential to solve a lot of problems we have in the world today.
“Access to medical information for people who may not have access to doctors, for example, or personalised tutoring that might be too expensive or otherwise not available.
“Obviously there might be transformation in a lot of jobs, and obviously that’s something that people are concerned about, but I think there will be a lot of jobs created around this technology.
“I think it’s something to be excited about rather than be frightened about.”
Dr Abbasnejad said that while the rise of programs like ChatGPT and Midjourney had captured headlines in recent months, most of us were already using AI daily.
“When using things like Google and Facebook there is AI running in the background finding the relationship be documents and your query, or Netflix recommending which movies you might like to watch,” he said.
“So we’ve been interacting with AI, it’s just that now it might seem a bit more clever or intuitive.”
ELIZABETH
JOHN
“Meet John, a resident of Elizabeth, South Australia. John is likely in his late 30s to early 40s, which reflects the demographics of this northern suburb of Adelaide. John probably works in sectors such as healthcare, retail trade, or manufacturing, which are among the common industries in Elizabeth. He might spend his weekends attending local sporting events, exploring the local parks, or visiting the nearby Adelaide Hills for a change of scenery.”
SUSAN
“Meet Susan, a resident of Elizabeth, South Australia. Susan is likely in her late 30s, fitting the average age demographic of this northern suburb of Adelaide. Susan probably works in sectors such as healthcare, retail trade, or education, reflecting common industries in Elizabeth. Given the city’s past as a major manufacturing hub, she might have some connection to this industry, though changes have diversified the local economy.”
MURRAY BRIDGE
SARAH
“Meet Sarah, a resident of Murray Bridge, South Australia. Sarah is likely in her late 30s to early 40s, reflecting the demographics of this regional city located on the Murray River. Sarah enjoys the riverside lifestyle that Murray Bridge offers. She often spends her free time exploring the local parks, attending community events, or boating and fishing on the Murray River. Sarah likely lives in a family household, as Murray Bridge is known for its family-friendly environment. She enjoys the sense of community, the peaceful lifestyle, and the natural beauty of her surroundings.”
DANIEL
“Meet Daniel, a resident of Murray Bridge, South Australia. Daniel is likely in his early 40s, aligning with the age demographic of this regional city nestled along the Murray River. Daniel probably works in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, or retail trade, which are common industries in Murray Bridge. Given the city’s rural location and access to the river, he might also be involved in the local farming or fishing industry. He appreciates the balance of small-town charm and natural beauty that characterises life in Murray Bridge.”
MOUNT GAMBIER
DAVID
“Introducing David, a resident of Mount Gambier, South Australia. David is likely in his early 40s, reflective of the demographic in this southeastern city. David likely lives in a family household, as Mount Gambier is known for its family-friendly environment and strong sense of community. David’s lifestyle embodies the balance of industry and nature, community spirit, and family-friendly atmosphere found in Mount Gambier, South Australia.”
AMELIA
“Meet Amelia, a resident of Mount Gambier, South Australia. Amelia is likely in her late 30s, fitting the average age demographic of this regional city located in the southeastern part of the state. Amelia probably works in sectors such as healthcare, retail trade, or education, reflecting the common industries in Mount Gambier. In her spare time, Amelia enjoys the natural beauty and outdoor activities that Mount Gambier offers. She might spend her weekends exploring the Blue Lake, hiking up the Centenary Tower for panoramic views, or strolling in the Cave Gardens.”
WHYALLA
JAMES
“Introducing James, a resident of Whyalla, South Australia. James is likely in his early 40s, reflective of the age demographics of this industrial city located on the eastern shore of the Eyre Peninsula. James probably works in sectors such as manufacturing, health care, or retail trade, which are common industries in Whyalla. Given the city’s historical association with the steel industry, he might also be involved in mining, steel production or related industries.”
LISA
“Meet Lisa, a resident of Whyalla, South Australia. Lisa is likely in her late 30s to early 40s, in line with the demographic of this industrial city located on the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula. Lisa probably works in sectors such as healthcare, education, or retail trade, mirroring the employment trends in Whyalla. She may spend her weekends hiking in the nearby Mount Laura Homestead, spotting dolphins at the marina, or enjoying a family picnic at the Ada Ryan Gardens.”
GLENELG
ALEX
“Meet Alex, a resident of Glenelg, South Australia. Alex is in his early 40s, fitting the demographic for this vibrant, coastal suburb of Adelaide. Alex probably works in sectors like retail trade, healthcare, or accommodation and food services. He spends his free time strolling along the beach, perhaps trying his hand at surfing or simply enjoying the stunning coastal views. Alex’s lifestyle embodies the casual coastal charm, vibrant social scene, and community-oriented nature of Glenelg, South Australia.”
LUCY
“Introducing Lucy, a resident of Glenelg, South Australia. Lucy is in her late 30s to early 40s, typical of the demographic in this charming coastal suburb of Adelaide. Lucy likely works in sectors such as retail trade, healthcare, or accommodation and food services, reflecting the common industries in this tourism-oriented area. Given Glenelg’s coastal location, she might also be involved in the tourism and hospitality industry. In her spare time, Lucy enjoys the laid-back lifestyle and natural beauty of Glenelg. She often spends her free time walking along the sandy beach, indulging in the local cuisine at beachside restaurants, or browsing the boutiques along Jetty Road.”
NORTH ADELAIDE
THOMAS
“Meet Thomas, a resident of North Adelaide, South Australia. Thomas is in his mid-40s, fitting the age demographic commonly found in this prestigious suburb of Adelaide. Thomas is well-educated, likely holding a university degree, as North Adelaide is known for its high level of educational attainment. His profession is most likely in sectors such as healthcare, professional services, or education, reflecting the common employment sectors in the area.”
EMILY
“Meet Emily, a resident of North Adelaide, South Australia. Emily is in her early 40s, reflecting the demographics of this affluent inner-city suburb of Adelaide. Emily is highly educated, probably holding a university degree, as North Adelaide is known for its high levels of educational attainment. She enjoys frequenting local galleries, attending concerts and theatrical performances, and dining at the suburb’s many high-quality restaurants and cafes.
CHRISTIES BEACH
MICHAEL
“Introducing Michael, a resident of Christies Beach, South Australia. Michael is likely in his mid to late 30s, which is typical for this picturesque coastal suburb of Adelaide. As an outdoors enthusiast, Michael enjoys the beachfront lifestyle that Christies Beach provides. He often spends his free time surfing or swimming in the clear blue waters, or walking along the sandy beaches, soaking up the stunning coastal views. Michael may live in a family household or as a single individual, as both types of households are common in Christies Beach.”
SARAH
“Meet Sarah, a resident of Christies Beach, South Australia. Sarah is likely in her mid-30s, a common age range for this coastal suburb of Adelaide. Sarah might work in sectors such as health care and social assistance, retail trade, or education, which are common employment sectors in this area. Living in a mix of family households and single-person households is common in Christies Beach, so Sarah might have a family or live alone. She enjoys the strong sense of community that Christies Beach offers, along with the suburb’s access to beautiful natural environments.”
PORT ADELAIDE
LIAM
“Meet Liam, a resident of Port Adelaide, South Australia. Liam is in his mid-30s to early 40s and is a proud member of his community in this historic area known for its industrial roots and maritime heritage. Liam works in the trades or service industry, mirroring the work patterns of many in Port Adelaide. The area, once a major maritime and industrial hub, has diversified, and Liam’s job might reflect these changes. He also has a deep appreciation for the area’s rich history and maritime heritage, often spending his weekends visiting the local museums or wandering around the historic docks.”
MIA
“Introducing Mia, a resident of Port Adelaide, South Australia. Mia is in her late 30s, reflecting the average age demographic in this historic and vibrant suburb of Adelaide. Professionally, Mia might work in sectors such as healthcare, education or retail, which are common among Port Adelaide residents. Mia likely appreciates the blend of old and new in Port Adelaide, with its historic buildings, industrial heritage, and evolving arts and culture scene.”
BURNSIDE
DAVID
“Meet David, a resident of Burnside, South Australia. David is in his mid-40s, representative of the relatively higher age demographic in this affluent Adelaide suburb. David is well-educated, likely holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, reflecting Burnside’s above-average educational attainment. He works in a professional occupation, perhaps in sectors like health care, education, finance or professional services which are commonly found in this area. His family could include a partner and one or two children, who attend one of the area’s reputable schools.”
JANE
“Introducing Jane, a resident of the affluent suburb of Burnside, South Australia. Jane is in her early 40s and enjoys the benefits of living in one of Adelaide’s greenest and most picturesque suburbs. Professionally, Jane is highly educated, holding a bachelor’s degree. Jane’s household is likely to be a family one, as Burnside is known for its family-oriented environment. She may have one or two children attending one of the local schools. Jane’s life in Burnside reflects the community’s comfortable suburban lifestyle, educational attainment, and appreciation for natural beauty.”
PORT LINCOLN
SAM
“Meet Sam, a resident of Port Lincoln, South Australia. Sam is likely in his early 40s, fitting the demographic of this coastal city on the Eyre Peninsula. Sam probably works in sectors such as aquaculture, fishing, or agriculture, reflecting the significant industries in Port Lincoln. Known as the ‘Seafood Capital of Australia’, it’s possible that Sam is involved in the local seafood industry, contributing to the production or distribution of renowned local products like Southern Bluefin Tuna. Living in Port Lincoln, Sam appreciates the combination of seaside living and rural charm. He often spends his free time fishing in the bay, exploring the nearby Lincoln National Park, or perhaps trying his hand at more adventurous activities like shark cage diving.”
HANNAH
“Meet Hannah, a resident of Port Lincoln, South Australia. Hannah is in her late 30s to early 40s, fitting the demographic of this coastal city on the Eyre Peninsula. Hannah likely works in sectors such as retail trade, healthcare, or education, which are typical employment sectors in Port Lincoln. Given the city’s status as the ‘Seafood Capital of Australia’, she might also be involved in the local seafood industry in some capacity.”
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