One AI chatbot experiment’s response to prompts about UNC sports are amusing, confusing and often inaccurate

By R.L. Bynum

The possibilities with artificial intelligence are fascinating, but the chatbots, such as Google’s Bard, still have a long way to go regarding accuracy.

After watching this story on Sunday’s episode of “60 Minutes,” I was curious about what sorts of stories Bard would produce from prompts related to Carolina sports. Some were interesting, many were amusing, and accuracy left much to be desired.

A disclaimer on the Bard page reads: “Bard may display inaccurate or offensive information that doesn’t represent Google views.” We should also note that Google calls this an “experiment.”

With that in mind, here are some prompts I gave Bard and the stories it produced.


The most amusing follows. It mixed years, locations, genders and coaches.

Prompt:


Write a story about Charlotte Smith hitting a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to win the national championship for UNC.

Response:


The Tar Heels were down by two points with just 1 second left in the game. The Tar Heels had the ball, and they were inbounding it to Charlotte Smith.

Smith caught the ball and dribbled up the court. She was guarded by Paolo Banchero, the Blue Devils’ star forward. Smith drove to the basket, but Banchero was there to meet her. Smith jumped up and threw up a three-pointer.

The ball bounced off the rim once, then twice, and then it fell through the net. The crowd at the Caesars Superdome erupted in cheers, and Smith was mobbed by her teammates. Smith had just hit one of the most famous shots in NCAA history, and she had helped the Tar Heels win their seventh national championship.

Smith’s shot was a microcosm of her entire career. She was a clutch player who always seemed to come up big in the big moments. She was also a great leader, and she helped to bring a winning culture to the Tar Heels program.

Smith’s shot was a defining moment in her career, and it helped to make her one of the most famous athletes in the world.

Smith was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player, and she finished the game with 20 points. She also had 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Tar Heels’ win was their first national championship since 2017. They were led by head coach Hubert Davis, who was in his first season at the helm.

The Tar Heels’ victory was a sweet one for the program, and it was a special moment for Smith and her teammates. They will never forget the feeling of winning the national championship, and they will always cherish the memories of their time together.



How about a scenario that Tar Heels fans would love: a football national championship? Again, the details are interesting and amusing. We all missed Sam Howell’s victory over Georgia and that 2017 football title.

Prompt:

Write a story about Mack Brown’s Tar Heels winning the national championship.

Response:


The Tar Heels were playing the Georgia Bulldogs in the national championship game. The game was close throughout, but the Tar Heels pulled away in the second half to win 38-35.

The Tar Heels were led by quarterback Sam Howell, who had a great game. Howell threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 70 yards.

The Tar Heels’ defense also played well. They held the Bulldogs to just 24 points. The Tar Heels’ defense was led by linebacker Chazz Surratt, who had 10 tackles.

The Tar Heels’ victory was a sweet one for the program. It was the Tar Heels’ first national championship since 2017. The Tar Heels’ victory was also a special moment for the state of North Carolina. The Tar Heels are one of the most popular teams in the state, and their victory brought joy to fans all over the state. It was a reminder that anything is possible, and it was a moment that Tar Heels fans will never forget.


How about Michael Jordan’s famous shot in 1982? Tar Heels fans will remember it a little differently. Also: Only one point for a field goal?

Prompt:


Write a story about Michael Jordan hitting a jumper to beat Georgetown to give UNC the national championship.

Response:


It was 1982, and the North Carolina Tar Heels were playing the Georgetown Hoyas in the NCAA National Championship game. The game was tied at 62 with just seconds left on the clock. The Tar Heels had the ball, and they were inbounding it to Michael Jordan.

Jordan caught the ball and dribbled up the court. He was guarded by Patrick Ewing, the Hoyas’ star center. Jordan drove to the basket, but Ewing was there to meet him. Jordan jumped up and threw up a jump shot. The ball swished through the net, and the Tar Heels won the game 63-62.

Jordan’s shot was one of the most famous shots in NCAA history. It helped the Tar Heels win their first national championship in 20 years, and it launched Jordan’s career into superstardom.

Jordan went on to play in the NBA for 15 seasons, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls. He is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.


There have been triple-doubles by former UNC players, most recently from the Mavericks’ Theo Pinson. But, of the 10 triple-doubles listed, only two actually happened (the first two), and those were while they were Tar Heels (the only triple-doubles in program history). Ty Lawson did have a triple-double, but it was in 2017 against Phoenix.

Prompt:


NBA triple-doubles by former UNC players

Response:


There are only 10 NBA triple-doubles by former UNC players. They are as follows:

Brendan Haywood had a triple-double on December 4, 2000, against Miami. He had 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks.

Jason Capel had a triple-double on December 17, 2000, against Buffalo. He had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Tyler Hansbrough had a triple-double on January 27, 2010, against the New Jersey Nets. He had 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Ty Lawson had a triple-double on February 2, 2013, against the New Orleans Hornets. He had 21 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Harrison Barnes had a triple-double on January 16, 2016, against the Los Angeles Lakers. He had 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Marcus Paige had a triple-double on January 23, 2016, against the Detroit Pistons. He had 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Joel Berry II had a triple-double on February 8, 2017, against the Brooklyn Nets. He had 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Justin Jackson had a triple-double on January 19, 2018, against the Sacramento Kings. He had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Cameron Johnson had a triple-double on January 29, 2022, against the Indiana Pacers. He had 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

These are all very impressive accomplishments, and they show the level of talent that has come out of North Carolina.


If Carolina needs a new victory song, the school shouldn’t count on Bard to provide it.

Prompt:

Write a song about a Tar Heels victory.

Response:


Verse 1

The Tar Heels are playing tonight,
And they’re ready to win,
They’ve got the best players in the land,
And they’re not going to give in.

Chorus

Go Tar Heels, go!
We’re cheering for you,
We know you can do it,
So go out there and win!

Verse 2

The other team is tough,
But we’re not afraid,
We’ve got the heart of a champion,
And we’re not going to be denied.

Chorus

Go Tar Heels, go!
We’re cheering for you,
We know you can do it,
So go out there and win!

The game is close,
And it’s anyone’s ballgame,
But the Tar Heels are determined,
And they’re not going to let this one slip away.

Bridge

Chorus

Go Tar Heels, go!
We’re cheering for you,
We know you can do it,
So go out there and win!

Outro

The Tar Heels win!
We’re so proud of you,
You’re the best team in the land,
And we’re so happy for you!

The bottom line: Have fun with chatbots, but be aware that they can lead you astray in quite an amusing way.

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