Inspired by the recent Texas Monthly article titled “What a Texan Looks Like, According to AI,” and an Instagram reel showcasing AI’s portrayal of a Utah Influencer, I embarked on a quest to explore how accurately artificial intelligence could depict a typical scene from life in Utah.
Commencing my AI expedition on Midjourney, I invested $8 and an entire afternoon deciphering its intricacies.
Midjourney, as I soon discovered, proves to be a complex system necessitating rigorous training for proficiency. Hence, my investment of $8 and four hours yielded imagery best described as surreal and dreamlike.
Upon inputting the prompt “Show me a Utahn,” I was presented with a peculiar depiction—a hybrid creature, part-man and part-beast, encircled by descending lanterns from the sky. The array of images remained equally fantastical.
Images of Utah generated by Midjourney
Midjourney evidently exhibits a penchant for the red-rock landscape of southern Utah. While admiration for this terrain is widespread, few among us pass our days seated in an armchair beneath Delicate Arch, engaged in flute carving.
Image of a typical Utahn generated by Midjourney
Seeking a closer semblance to my reality, I integrated “mom” into the prompt. The outcome, while closer to what one might encounter on a Utah influencer’s Instagram feed, still veered outside my lived experiences. Primarily because my hiking endeavors with an infant rarely progress beyond the trailhead.
Image of a Utah mom generated by Midjourney
In a final attempt, I specified a prompt for an image of a Utahn devoid of red rocks. The result presented to me was this:
Image of a typical Utahn without red rock generated by Midjourney
Encountering few individuals resembling the figure depicted, I could only hope that this enigmatic man, wherever he may be, is faring well.
Growing apprehensive about the forthcoming visuals, I transitioned to ChatGPT, where image generation is accessible in the paid version. Investing $20, I found ChatGPT to be a worthwhile expenditure, especially when it produced the following photorealistic image with a simple prompt: “create a photorealistic image of a Utah potluck.”
Image of a Utah potluck generated in ChatGPT
I have indeed attended gatherings mirroring this depiction—be it a ward party, a family reunion, or a Fourth of July block party. Such scenes, complete with Instant Pots adorning buffet tables, are a recurring summer affair for me.
One setting that surpasses the frequency of outdoor potlucks in my experience is a potluck within a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse during inclement weather months. Curious to witness an indoor potluck scene, I received an image that authentically captured the iconic elements of a Latter-Day Saint chapel.
Image of an indoor Utah potluck generated in ChatGPT
Emphasizing the absence of any reference to the building’s nature in my prompt, ChatGPT ingeniously incorporated the distinctive features of a Latter-Day Saint chapel into the image.
Inquiring about the typical meal at such a potluck, the rendered plate, save for a heap of carrot sticks, mirrored every post-funeral lunch catered by the Relief Society from the deceased ward.
A plate of Utah food generated in ChatGPT
Zooming in on the food revealed a blend of repulsion and allure—a common sight at such gatherings.
A closeup of Utah food generated in ChatGPT
The sight of the green blob triggers my trypophobia, yet tantalizes my taste buds, hinting at toasted marshmallows amidst the lumps.
While the portrayal of the potluck was nearly flawless, a crucial element seemed absent—the boisterous children dashing through the hallways. Rectifying this, I requested an addition.
An image generated in ChatGPT of children in the chapel halls during a Utah potluck
Though a commendable initial attempt, the scene appeared more suited to a square dance than the lively potluck ambiance I’m accustomed to. Thus, I provided further clarity.
And with that, the perfect rendition of an indoor Utah potluck emerged, complete with the familiar sights and sounds of a ward gathering.
Sure, the American flag boasted an excessive number of stars, and the basketball hoop hung lower than reality dictates. However, every other detail resonated with the latest ward function I attended—a scene evoking nostalgia and fond memories of past neighborhood celebrations. Despite my unease at AI’s uncanny ability to recreate such moments, I find solace in revisiting these familiar images.
