Latest news with #AlejandroCid
News18
a day ago
- News18
Spanish Influencer Couple Misses Puerto Rico Trip After Following ChatGPT For Visa Advice
Last Updated: Spanish influencer Mery Caldass and her partner Alejandro Cid missed their Puerto Rico trip due to relying on ChatGPT for visa info. They needed an ESTA, not a visa. Spanish influencer Mery Caldass and her partner, Alejandro Cid, saw their planned romantic getaway to Puerto Rico end before it even began — all because they relied on a chatbot for the final word on their travel documents. Mery, an influencer who shares her travels and lifestyle with thousands of followers, decided to speed up her pre-trip research by asking ChatGPT if they needed a visa. The answer was a simple 'no", which seemed clear enough. But that nuance was missed. For Spanish passport holders — and others from countries in the US Visa Waiver Program — 'no visa" doesn't mean 'no requirements." Travellers must still apply online for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) before boarding a flight, NDTV reported. Believing they were fully prepared, the couple went ahead and booked flights, hotels, and activities. Everything was set until the airport check-in counter became the scene of an abrupt reality check. Without an approved ESTA, boarding was not an option. Later, Mery shared a video on TikTok and YouTube the next day, showing her visibly upset, walking through the terminal while Alejandro tried to calm her down. 'I always do a lot of research, but I asked ChatGPT, and they said no," referring to the visa requirement, she shares on her video. She even joked that the chatbot might have been getting back at her: 'Don't trust that one anymore — sometimes I insult him. I call him a bastard, tell him he's useless, but ask him to give me good information… maybe this was his revenge." The video quickly went viral, attracting thousands of views and sparking heated debates in the comments. According to the New York Times post, some criticised the couple for relying entirely on AI instead of double-checking official travel information. 'If you're crossing an ocean and base your entire trip on what a chatbot says, you're already asking for trouble," wrote one user. Others were more sympathetic, noting that the response wasn't entirely wrong — just incomplete. They suggested the confusion may have stemmed from how the question was phrased. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated US territory, meaning it follows the same immigration rules as the mainland. Nationals from Visa Waiver Program countries, such as Spain, don't need a traditional visa, but they must still complete an ESTA application before travelling. This requirement applies even if the trip is only to Puerto Rico, and airlines will not allow passengers to board without it, as entering US territory without authorisation is illegal. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Influencers miss flight after ChatGPT advice: The twist will leave you speechless
Influencer couple Mery Caldass and Alejandro Cid were all set for what should've been a dreamy trip to Puerto Rico. But instead of basking in beach vibes, they ended up stuck in an airport, sobbing and blaming none other than ChatGPT for their nightmare. In a now-viral TikTok with over 13,000 views, as reported by New York Post, Mery with tears streaming, frustration loud and clearly explains that, 'I always do tons of research, but I asked ChatGPT and it said no visa was needed.' Which, sure, sounds convenient. But unfortunately, that 'advice' missed a tiny, yet crucial detail: while they didn't need a visa for Puerto Rico, they did need something called an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). It's kind of like a quick online clearance that ChatGPT apparently forgot to mention. Unsurprisingly, the clip lit up the internet. A lot of people had words. Some were with the sarcasm, like commenting, 'Natural selection, I guess,' mocking their decision to rely on ChatGPT for something important. Another quipped, 'Who trusts ChatGPT for that kind of info?' On the flip side, a few folks defended the AI: maybe the couple just didn't phrase their question properly, sure, they asked if they needed a visa, but they never asked whether an ESTA was necessary. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo What is ESTA? The ESTA, short for Electronic System for Travel Authorization, is basically an online permission slip. If you're from one of the eligible countries, you don't need a full visa, but you do need to fill out this quick online form before you travel. It's not a visa interview or a mountain of paperwork, just an application you do online, pay a small fee for, and usually get approved within minutes (though they say apply at least 72 hours before your trip, just in case). Once approved, it's valid for two years, and you can use it for multiple trips. Think of it as a 'fast pass' but skip it, and you might end up like those influencers stuck at the airport instead of sipping piña coladas. Another ChatGPT mishap This isn't the only headline-grabbing ChatGPT slip-up lately. Other stories have spotlighted more concerning misadventures: one older guy ended up hospitalized with hallucinations after following AI-generated suggestions. Clearly, when it comes to AI, a healthy dose of skepticism and double-checking is a must.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Couple blames ChatGPT after missing flight to Puerto Rico
As partner Alejandro Cid comforts her, Caldass tells the camera: 'Look, I always do a lot of research, but I asked ChatGPT and they said no,' referring to whether they needed a visa to enter the country. 'I don't trust that son of a [expletive] anymore', she adds. But in between her tears, the influencer jokes that the AI tool gave them the wrong information as an act of revenge after she insulted it. 'I don't trust that one anymore because sometimes I insult him, I call him a [expletive], you're useless, but inform me his revenge'. The video has racked up 6.1 million views on TikTok and several users have poked fun at the couple for asking ChatGPT for information instead of checking official travel advice. 'Well, natural selection I guess. If you are going to take a transoceanic trip and you put all your advice in ChatGPT, little has happened to you,' one user commented. 'But who trusts ChatGPT for those types of situations?,' another said. Others came to ChatGPT's defence, claiming the AI tool's answer was not incorrect and that instead the couple had asked it the wrong question about the necessary documents to enter Puerto Rico. Spanish tourists do not need a visa to enter the Caribbean island, however holidaymakers must process an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) online. The couple's ordeal with ChatGPT comes a day after a man was left fighting for his sanity after replacing table salt with a chemical more commonly used to clean swimming pools after following AI advice. The 60-year-old American spent three weeks in hospital suffering from hallucinations, paranoia and severe anxiety after taking dietary tips from ChatGPT. Doctors revealed in a US medical journal that the man had developed bromism - a condition virtually wiped out since the 20th century - after he embarked on a 'personal experiment' to cut salt from his diet. Instead of using everyday sodium chloride, the man swapped it for sodium bromide, a toxic compound once sold in sedative pills but now mostly found in pool-cleaning products. Symptoms of bromism include psychosis, delusions, skin eruptions and nausea - and in the 19th century it was linked to up to eight per cent of psychiatric hospital admissions. The bizarre case took a disturbing turn when the man turned up at an emergency department insisting his neighbour was trying to poison him. He had no previous history of mental illness.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sobbing couple blame ChatGPT for missing their flight to Puerto Rico after they asked it about visa requirements… and arrived with the wrong paperwork
A young influencer couple said they were barred from boarding their flight to Puerto Rico after ChatGPT gave them the wrong visa information to enter the Caribbean Island. In a video shared by the Spanish tourists on social media, TikToker Mery Caldass appears in tears as she walks through the airport after not being allowed to travel. As partner Alejandro Cid comforts her, Caldass tells the camera: 'Look, I always do a lot of research, but I asked ChatGPT and they said no,' referring to whether they needed a visa to enter the country. 'I don't trust that son of a b***h anymore', she adds. But in between her tears, the influencer jokes that the AI tool gave them the wrong information as an act of revenge after she insulted it. 'I don't trust that one anymore because sometimes I insult him, I call him a b*****d, you're useless, but inform me his revenge'. The video has racked up 6.1 million views on TikTok and several users have poked fun at the couple for asking ChatGPT for information instead of checking official travel advice. 'Well, natural selection I guess. If you are going to take a transoceanic trip and you put all your advice in ChatGPT, little has happened to you,' one user commented. 'But who trusts ChatGPT for those types of situations?,' another said. Others came to ChatGPT's defence, claiming the AI tool's answer was not incorrect and that instead the couple had asked it the wrong question about the necessary documents to enter Puerto Rico. Spanish tourists do not need a visa to enter the Caribbean island, however holidaymakers must process an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) online. The couple's ordeal with ChatGPT comes a day after a man was left fighting for his sanity after replacing table salt with a chemical more commonly used to clean swimming pools after following AI advice. The 60-year-old American spent three weeks in hospital suffering from hallucinations, paranoia and severe anxiety after taking dietary tips from ChatGPT. Doctors revealed in a US medical journal that the man had developed bromism - a condition virtually wiped out since the 20th century - after he embarked on a 'personal experiment' to cut salt from his diet. Instead of using everyday sodium chloride, the man swapped it for sodium bromide, a toxic compound once sold in sedative pills but now mostly found in pool-cleaning products. Symptoms of bromism include psychosis, delusions, skin eruptions and nausea - and in the 19th century it was linked to up to eight per cent of psychiatric hospital admissions. The bizarre case took a disturbing turn when the man turned up at an emergency department insisting his neighbour was trying to poison him. He had no previous history of mental illness. Intrigued and alarmed, doctors tested ChatGPT themselves. The bot, they said, still recommended sodium bromide as a salt alternative, with no mention of any health risk.
