Fresh fruit & veggies and AI don’t mix

On Monday, the day after Labour’s GST announcment, we expectantly asked ChatGPT: What countries exempt fruit and vegetables from GST?

Parents and teachers, pass this response along to your students. Chris Hipkins too. A simple lesson about doing your homework for real, not via AI.

Here’s the response …

“As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, I can provide you with some information about countries that exempt or have reduced tax rates on fruits and vegetables. However, please note that tax policies can change, and it’s essential to verify this information with more current sources:

Australia: Australia does not impose Goods and Services Tax (GST) on most basic food items, including most fruits and vegetables.

Canada: Most fresh fruits and vegetables are exempt from the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

European Union: In the European Union, Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions or reduced rates often apply to basic food items, which may include fruits and vegetables, depending on the country. These rates can vary from one EU member state to another.

India: As of my last update, India exempts fresh fruits and vegetables from the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

New Zealand: Fresh fruits and vegetables are generally exempt from GST in New Zealand.

United Kingdom: The UK exempts most food items, including fruits and vegetables, from Value Added Tax (VAT).

United States: The United States does not have a national sales tax or VAT, but individual states may have different rules regarding taxation of food items. In general, most states do not impose sales tax on essential food items, which could include fruits and vegetables.

When BayBuzz corrected ChatGPT regarding NZ, we were humbly thanked.

When we suggested the initial response might cast some doubt on the accurancy of their comments on other countries, ChatGPT responded that we should seek out  more authoritative, up-to-date sources.

Maybe Labour should take that advice too. Or use a more expensive AI service.