How DeepSeek sees Brisbane
An AI view of the River City. Plus: an update on Nine Radio and 4BC
I asked DeepSeek, the Chinese competitor to ChatGPT, the following: “Please write a 400-word article about the city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, including its history, geography, demography and tourist attractions. End the article with a fun thing for people to do in Brisbane.”
When it came back in American English, I added: “Please repeat this using British spelling and punctuation.”
It responded: “The server is busy. Please try again later.”
So, I made those changes myself. The result follows.
What do you think? Can you spot mistakes or suggest things DeepSeek ought to know?
Brisbane: A vibrant city of history, culture and natural beauty
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia, is a dynamic city that seamlessly blends rich history, stunning geography, and a multicultural population. With a population of over 2.7 million, it is Australia’s third-largest city and a hub of innovation, culture, and tourism110.
A glimpse into history
Brisbane’s history dates back over 22,000 years, with the Turrbal and Jagera peoples being the traditional custodians of the land, which they called “Meanjin” or “Meeanjin”, meaning “place shaped like a spike”.
European settlement began in 1824 as a penal colony, initially established at Redcliffe before relocating to the Brisbane River’s banks in 1825. Named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, the Governor of New South Wales, the city grew rapidly after the penal colony closed in 1839, becoming a free settlement and eventually the capital of Queensland in 1859.
Geography and climate
Nestled in the Brisbane River Valley, the city is surrounded by the Taylor and D’Aguilar mountain ranges and Moreton Bay. Its subtropical climate ensures warm, sunny weather for most of the year, making it a perfect destination for outdoor activities. The Brisbane River, winding through the city, is a central feature, offering picturesque views and recreational opportunities.
Demography and culture
Brisbane is a multicultural city, with over 36% of its population born overseas. The most common countries of origin include New Zealand, England, India and China.
This diversity is reflected in the city’s vibrant food scene, festivals and cultural events. English is the predominant language, but Mandarin, Vietnamese and Punjabi are also widely spoken6.
Tourist attractions
Brisbane is renowned for its blend of natural beauty and urban attractions. South Bank Parklands, with its man-made beach and lush gardens, is a must-visit.
The Queensland Cultural Centre, home to the Queensland Museum and Gallery of Modern Art, showcases the city’s artistic and historical heritage.
For wildlife enthusiasts, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary offers a chance to interact with Australia’s iconic animals. The Story Bridge, a heritage-listed cantilever bridge, provides breathtaking views of the city, especially during its adventure climbs.
A fun activity: Climb the Story Bridge
For an unforgettable experience, try the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Whether you choose a daytime, twilight or nighttime climb, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Brisbane’s skyline, the winding river, and the distant mountains.
It’s a thrilling way to see the city from a new perspective and create lasting memories.
Brisbane’s unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty makes it a must-visit destination for travellers and a beloved home for its residents.
Nine Radio update
I’ve mused in this newsletter a few times — most recently here — about the sale of Nine Radio, which owns Brisbane’s 4BC and 4BH (the latter is on lease to Ace Radio).
The Australian covered the story today in its Media section (although the authors seem to be oblivious to 4BC’s recent dire ratings, saying that Nine has a “strong footprint” in Brisbane).
The story suggests that any sale is stalled because parent company Nine Entertainment is yet to appoint a permanent CEO. The current boss, Matt Stanton, is only in an acting capacity, even though he’s been widely tipped to get the gig.
One anonymous potential owner is quoted as saying: “There is currently no one for potential buyers to speak with. Nine needs a CEO with a clear path forward. There’s a lot going on (in the market), and not a lot going on (inside Nine).”
The upshot seems to be that Nine wants $50 million for the assets, which The Oz reckons are worth only $30 million. In the 2024 financial year, Nine Radio’s EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) was $8.4 million — down 33%, year on year.
Possible buyers are now said to include Craig Hutchison’s Sports Entertainment Group (which owns the SEN radio stations), billionaire Gina Rinehart, former politician Joe Hockey (through Bondi Partners), Australian Digital Holdings/ Newsmax, and ARN (the Australian Radio Network, owner of the KIIS and Gold networks). SEG and ARN would face legislative hurdles if they wanted to buy Nine Radio, as they already own stations in the same markets.
I’ve heard from people associated with 4BC that the mood is not great among staff members, who are understandably concerned about the potential impacts of a sale.
As I’ve noted before, the best outcome for the staff and listeners is that whoever owns it (even if it’s still Nine) shows some commitment to the station and is prepared to listen to local people about the direction it should take. Too many bad decisions have been made in Sydney.
Disclaimer: Brett Debritz used to work for 4BC and cares a lot about its future.
thank you for posting your insights.