However, AI tools can improve the traveler experience. Few industries are affected more by the weather than airlines. For instance, flight disruptions can result in millions of dollars in losses. But new sensors, satellites, and modeling are better equipping airlines to deal with erratic weather, including optimizing routes to avoid storms or air traffic.
IBM's (IBM +0.70%) Watson AI is one of the programs that can perform this analysis, integrating data from 100 models and incorporating information from 250,000 weather stations worldwide. Airlines are also using AI in new ways, such as enhancing pilot training, reducing fuel consumption, and even holding connecting flights for delayed passengers.
5. AI for travel itineraries
The holy grail of generative AI and travel is to have a chatbot assistant plan and book a trip for you with just a few commands. For instance, you could tell it you want to go to Miami for three days and stay at a hotel with an infinity pool, and then tell it to make restaurant reservations and other plans for the time you're there.
OpenAI has provided much of the initial infrastructure onto which online travel agencies can layer their data. Consumers are embracing such tools, which are good at gathering information, but a complete end-to-end experience will take time, as will direct booking through AI.
Tools from Google and start-ups like Layla continue to get better and make the travel planning and booking process easier. However, these tools aren't perfect, and it's a good idea for travelers to confirm information on their own.
Benefits and drawbacks of AI in tourism
Like any other new technology, there are both positives and negatives in AI in travel and tourism.
Benefits:
- AI is increasing efficiencies for both travel companies and customers. Those should help companies save money, and customers save time.
- AI recommendations can be especially valuable for tourists. AI can quickly answer questions that would take a human agent much longer, and it can do it immediately and from anywhere with an internet connection. It can also automatically translate, helping travelers communicate or understand foreign languages.
- AI can provide real-time updates, helping users respond to travel delays or other changes in their plans.
Drawbacks:
- Dynamic pricing can lead to wasted time, and travelers and businesses each use AI in a way that neutralizes its benefit.
- AI customer service does not always match human customer service. It can't solve all the problems that a human agent could, and lacks a human touch.
- For those who work in the travel industry, there's also the risk of job displacement and other disruptions.
