It’s interesting to challenge the responses provided by ChatGPT, read the response, and then ask later to see if the changes are consistent.   The AI tools were helpful with the overall context and reinforced the importance of including footnotes to reference the supporting data.

• • The current tourism-related data from Rockport Analytics- 2023.
    • Wages from tourism: $21.0 million. It was 12.1 in the 2020 report.
      
      
    • GDP 39.3 million.

Note: The GDP of the five surrounding counties is 29.5 billion.  The GDP of Brown County is 362 million. Reference: Regional Economic Analysis Project

ChatGPT does include the disclaimer: “ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.”

• • ChatGPT Brown County Economy Q and A 20250526

What are Brown County’s Economic Drivers?

• • In this dialogue, ChatGPT concluded that “Tourism is the most significant economic driver” and then adjusted its conclusion when presented with new information.

  • Ball State economists have identified Brown County, Indiana, as best positioned to grow economically by serving as a “bedroom community” — that is, a residential area where people live but commute elsewhere for work. This recommendation is based on several key economic and geographic factors:

  • How do you explain that AGI of 550 million and only about 10 million in wages from tourism? ChatGPT said:

    Great question — and you’re right to notice the mismatch. If Brown County’s total adjusted gross income (AGI) is around $550 million, and tourism wages contribute only about $10 million, that suggests that tourism is not the primary driver of resident income. Here’s how we can explain that:

I asked similar questions from Grok and experimented with different estimates on the numbers. Interesting comparisons between the two AIs.  Grok- Brown County Economypdf