AI chatbot selects Brighton's greatest all-time XI featuring 70s and 80s stalwart defender and goal-scoring legend
We asked ChatGPT to name the best Brighton & Hove Albion XI ever...
By Matt Pole
Published 3rd Mar 2023, 11:56 BST
Updated 22nd Mar 2023, 09:23 BST
We’ve all seen the films - I, Robot, 2001: Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, Ex Machina, The Matrix, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Her and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery - and the message is very clear; Artifical Intelligence is either out to harm or seduce us, and regardless of whichever future it chooses to pursue, we’re done for.
Nonetheless, and in spite of Hollywood’s gravest warnings, the relentless advance of AI marches onwards, slowly speckling every aspect of our modern life and is really finding its virtual feet as a creative force.
We have decided to give ChatGPT an opportunity to prove itself and asked it to select a best-ever Brighton & Hove Albion XI.
The Seagulls are thriving in the Premier League and FA Cup this season – but none of Roberto De Zerbi’s heroes were deemed good enough to make ChatGPT’s team.
This is the team ChatGPT has selected (in a 4-3-3 formation).
We have decided to give ChatGPT an opportunity to prove itself and asked it to select a best-ever Brighton & Hove Albion XI.
5. Centre-back: Adam Virgo
ChatGPT says: A versatile defender who played for Brighton on two separate occasions, Virgo was instrumental in the club's promotion to the Championship in 2004. SussexWorld says: Won a host of trophies during his first spell at Brighton between 2000 and 2005. Won the Third and Second Division titles in consecutive years as Albion secured promotion to the old First Division in 2001/02. Helped Albion win the Division Two play-off final in 2003/04. Famously scored a 120th minute equaliser against Swindon Town in the play-off semi-final second leg, to force a penalty shootout, on the way to the final. Moved to Celtic in 2005, where he won the Scottish Premier League and Scottish League Cup, but returned to the Seagulls in 2008. Left Brighton for the final time to join Yeovil Town in 2010 Photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
6. Left-back: Paul Rogers
ChatGPT says: A key player for Brighton during their successful spell in the early 1980s, Rogers was known for his overlapping runs down the left flank. SussexWorld says: Ex-Sheffield United and Sutton United hero joined Brighton in 1999. Made 118 league appearances for Albion before dropping into non-league with Worthing in 2003 Photo: Craig Prentis/Allsport via Getty Images
7. Midfielder: Dean Hammond
ChatGPT says: A tireless midfielder who played for Brighton between 2013-2016, Hammond was a key player in the team that won promotion to the Championship in 2014. SussexWorld says: Development squad product made 136 league appearances during his first spell at Brighton. Named Albion captain after Richard Carpenter was released in January 2007. Left the Seagulls to join Colchester United in January 2008. Re-joined Brighton on a season-long loan from Southampton in 2012/13. Made 37 league appearances - but didn't help Albion to their mystery promotion to the Championship in 2014! Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images
8. Midfielder: Gary Stevens
ChatGPT says: The former England right-back played for Brighton during the 1980s and was a key player in the team that reached the FA Cup final in 1983. SussexWorld says: The versatile defender makes it into ChatGPT's all-time Albion midfield! Made 133 league appearances for Brighton between 1979 and 1983. Equalised for the Seagulls with three minutes to go in the infamous 1983 FA Cup final against Manchester United. Left Albion to join Tottenham, where he won the UEFA Cup in 1983/84 and seven caps for England Photo: Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive