A Cuban woman residing in Miami has discovered an unexpected ally in artificial intelligence to tackle one of the most common challenges faced by the diaspora: distributing essential goods fairly to family in Cuba.
In an Instagram reel, Marlan Vázquez, a young Cuban esthetician, shares her innovative method of using ChatGPT to meticulously plan each package she sends to the island.
The approach is both simple and clever: Marlan inputs the number of households she has in Cuba, the number of people in each, and the genders of the residents. The chatbot then generates a detailed list specifying the exact quantities needed for each household.
"I tell ChatGPT how many people I have in Cuba, how many houses, how many per house, and their genders. Then it gives me a shopping list," she explains in the video.
The result is a thoroughly calculated distribution: "For example, one house with three people gets six bars of soap; another with two people gets four bars. In total, I buy 14 bars of soap and divide them accordingly," she adds.
The organization doesn't stop there. To prevent disputes during distribution, Marlan labels each product with the recipient's name before packing. "Based on the list, I label everything so when the package arrives in Cuba, there's no confusion," she humorously notes.
Marlan also highlights the economic logic behind her strategy. Previously, she would only send money, but discovered that purchasing items directly in the U.S. is more cost-effective: "Honestly, I save more buying here and sending the goods than just sending money." However, she plans to continue sending cash remittances: "I'll keep sending money because it's always needed."
The video, filmed with a michelada in hand—"because this takes time," she admits—captures the reality of thousands of Cuban families separated by the ocean yet connected by necessity.
Her experience reflects a growing trend among Cubans abroad who share their shopping strategies on social media to assist their families back home with essential supplies.
The methods of sending packages from Miami to Cuba have evolved significantly in recent years. While food was once the primary focus, now hygiene products, medications, and devices to mitigate power outages are prioritized.
Understanding the Impact of ChatGPT on Cuban Family Logistics
How does ChatGPT assist in distributing goods to Cuba?
ChatGPT helps by generating detailed shopping lists based on the number of households, their residents, and specific needs, ensuring fair distribution of goods.
Why is buying goods in the U.S. more cost-effective than sending money to Cuba?
Purchasing goods directly in the U.S. often results in better value due to price differences and availability, reducing overall costs compared to sending money alone.
What changes have occurred in the types of packages sent to Cuba?
In recent years, there has been a shift from primarily sending food to including hygiene products, medications, and equipment to cope with power outages.