Malaga according to AI: the reason why ChatGPT highlights the Alcazaba and leaves out other key monuments

Artificial Intelligence has strongly emerged in various fields, from digital creativity to travel planning. Its ability to process large volumes of information and provide structured responses has led outlets like National Geographic to test ChatGPT, the popular AI model from OpenAI, with a seemingly simple task: selecting a single representative site from each of the ten most populous cities in Spain. Which monuments are the most popular?

In the case of Málaga, the choice of the AI was clear: the Alcazaba. This large Muslim-origin fortress, a symbol of the city's Andalusian past, was chosen over other iconic monuments and spaces such as the Cathedral, the Picasso Museum, or the Pompidou Center. The decision, though well-founded, has raised questions about the criteria used by the AI and the omissions it suggests.

The AI and Its Criteria for Choosing the Alcazaba

ChatGPT described the Alcazaba as a fortress that "combines history and architectural beauty, with stunning courtyards, gardens, and halls decorated with mosaics and sculptures." An argument that reinforces its historical and aesthetic significance within Málaga's heritage. Built in the 11th century, this site not only stands out for its imposing walls and its location on the slopes of Mount Gibralfaro but also as one of the best-preserved examples of Islamic military architecture in Spain.

The analysis carried out by the AI is based on the amount of information available online, the mentions and references each monument receives in articles, reviews, and digital databases. Thus, the Alcazaba, being featured in numerous tourism and heritage publications, becomes a logical candidate to represent Málaga.

The Great Overlooked: Which Monuments Could Have Been Chosen?

The selection of the Alcazaba sparks debate, especially since it leaves out other places of significant cultural and tourist importance. National Geographic points out, for example, that the AI did not include the Pompidou Center, a contemporary landmark of the city inaugurated in 2015, giving the impression that ChatGPT's response is based on data prior to that date. However, there are other spaces that, in our judgment, are more symbolic than this museum, despite its great international value.

Among the spaces that could also have been selected are:

• Málaga Cathedral: Popularly known as La Manquita due to its unfinished tower, it is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Its blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles makes it a top architectural reference.
• The Roman Theater: Located at the foot of the Alcazaba, it is a living testimony of Málaga's Roman past and one of the main archaeological remains of the city.
• Picasso Museum Málaga: Dedicated to the most universally renowned artist born in Málaga, it houses a crucial collection for understanding his pictorial evolution.
• La Malagueta Bullring: A symbol of the city's cultural heritage and a reference in the bullfighting world.

The Most Important Monuments of Spain's Most Populated Cities According to AI

• Prado Museum (Madrid)
• Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
• City of Arts and Sciences (Valencia)
• Seville Cathedral (Seville)
• Alcazaba (Málaga)
• Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar (Zaragoza)
• Holy Cathedral Church of Santa María (Murcia)
• La Seu (Palma de Mallorca)
• Las Canteras Beach (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)
• Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao)