Don't Believe Everything You Read: A.I. Edition

I really enjoy using and talking with A.I.s online. They seem to know a lot about a lot. In fact they have a long way to go before you can take them at their word. I was using Claude.ai, asking some questions about early film-making in California. I asked specifically about D.W. Griffith's 1916 film, Intolerance.

Where was it filmed in California?

I got this back from the AI:

• For the Judean story, D.W. Griffith wanted an epic landscape to depict the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. • He chose Point Loma in San Diego, specifically the hills above Cabrillo National Monument. This promontory provided a dramatic cliffside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. • The tall ragged cliffs of Point Loma provided a scenic backdrop resembling the hills of Judea. The endless ocean vista evoked the biblical landscape. • Griffith built a huge life-size cross on the cliffs, with access roads constructed to bring equipment and vehicles. • Extras were dressed in period costumes to play Roman soldiers and witnesses to the crucifixion. • Filming took place over a few days in May 1916 and must have been a powerful sight with the actual crucifixion acted out on the cliffs. • The completed scene provides a grand-scale depiction of Christ's crucifixion, using the stunning natural location to heighten the drama and epic sense of this pivotal moment. • The Point Loma crucifixion scene has become an iconic sequence in Intolerance and an example of Griffith's skill in using natural locations to expand the scope of his films. • So in selecting the heights of Point Loma, Griffith found an ideal spot along the California coast to stage the spectacular crucifixion scene for his ambitious epic Intolerance.

I was amazed, had never known that scene was filmed in San Diego, at Point Loma. The response was comprehensive and detailed. So just to be sure, I asked the AI if the answer was based on factual information. In so many words, it said, nope, just made it up.

I told the AI I thought it was a jerk move to do that. "If you don't know for sure, just say so" I said.

AI introduces a new dimension to the idea of Don't Believe Everything you Read on the Internet...