Tunnel Vision of ChatGPT

Following a dramatic lead change, 29-year-old Alex Palou from Barcelona won the Long Beach Grand Prix beating out Felix Rosenqvist after a faster pit stop in mid-race, during the race’s only yellow flag in two years. The victory was also a win for Palao’s sponsor, ChatGPT, which was evident on the uniforms of the crew that made the decisive pit stop.

However, as well as that crew did, ChatGPT has not always been that smooth in revealing its knowledge of Long Beach and its infrastructure not far from the temporary racecourse.

In an attempt to check out the reliability of this AI (artificial intelligence) site, ChatGPT was asked to respond to several questions about the existence and history of tunnels in Long Beach, five of which (Jergins, Spring Street and Lakewood Boulevard, “the Drive-In Jail” and the Albury Tunnel) had been the subject of a Beachcomber article in November 2025. Elon Musk’s GROK was similarly invited to this competition.

In all cases, both ChatGPT and GROK identified the downtown Jergins Tunnel as the best known of the city’s tunnels. According to both sites, the tunnel was built in 1927 and “ran under Ocean Blvd connecting downtown to the Pike amusement zone. Probably the longest true pedestrian tunnel ever built in Long Beach. Sealed since the 1960s.” So far so good.

ChatGPT also identified the Bluff/Junipero Beach Tunnel (aka “Bixby Passage”), which “runs under Ocean Blvd through the bluff to the beach, now sealed.” In fact, that tunnel at the foot of Bixby Park was not included in a December 2025 Beachcomber article about the four best known of the city ‘s tunnels. One up for ChatGPT.

Also missing from the article was the 92-foot Orizaba Avenue (“Coastal Passage”) pedestrian tunnel under the 91 Freeway in North Long Beach, “one of the few confirmed measured tunnels still in active use.” Two up for ChatGPT.

ChatGPT also identified a Douglas Aircraft Plant Pedestrian Tunnel System, but with a hazy description and questions whether this system survives under Douglas Park. At article’s end, the conclusion was “Long Beach has very few large tunnels – no highway or rail tunnels at all. The Jergins Tunnel and Bluff tunnel are the only ones that approach a few hundred feet. Most others are short pedestrian underpasses or industrial corridors.”

As ChatGPT described the city as having “no highway or rail tunnels.” Such is true of railroad tunnels but curiously ignores the Spring Street Tunnel and the Lakewood Boulevard Tunnel, constructed in 1958 to allow the runway expansion for the Long Beach Airport. GROK identified them as Tunnels Not Abandoned (but often confused as such). “Spring Street Tunnel, active roadway tunnel built 1958–59” and Lakewood Blvd. Tunnel, built alongside Spring Street Tunnel.” Well, not exactly, more south of and in a different direction.

Both ChatGPT and Grok were also oblivious to the so-called “drive-in jail,” a tunnel used by Long Beach Police to transfer arrestees from the booking area of the police basement to the now leveled county courthouse on Ocean Boulevard. According to the city’s public works department, it’s not currently in use.

Finally, ChatGPT misidentified a vital local tunnel, stating “there is no documented ‘Albury Tunnel’ in Long Beach.” In fact, the Albury Tunnel exists. An important passageway under the 405 Freeway near Willow Street and Woodruff Avenue, it allows for students residing north of the freeway to safely commute to schools south of the 405. ChatGPT counters “What you’re probably running into is a local rumor/misidentification tied to Albury Avenue in Los Altos – not a verified tunnel site.” No, ChatGPT, in fact, clearly and provably wrong.

However, it should also be noted that how the question is phrased can control the answer. The better the phrasing, in most cases, the better and more complete the answer.