In past articles, I’ve spoken about my reservations about artificial intelligence and ChatGPT. While there’s no shortage of causes for concern in this emerging new industry, it’s also important to be aware of some of the more unforeseen benefits it could offer.
When people picture the use of artificial intelligence, it’s probably not often that they’ll envision tourists and travelers using it as a means to explore new places. But, as I’ve learned firsthand, ChatGPT can serve as an incredibly valuable tool in the most unexpected areas of life.
From helping reply to emails and texts, to building websites, to enabling people to Google the ungooglable, ChatGPT’s potential uses are only just beginning to be tapped into. One of the most surprising functions I’ve found for ChatGPT, though, is its utility in travel.
In our conversations, it’s given valuable recommendations on nearly every facet to the trips I’ve taken. And unlike a standard google search or YouTube video, you can cater the specifics of what you’re looking for in far greater detail.
On a trip to Asheville, I asked ChatGPT to point me toward activities that would appeal to a 26 year old who’s new to the area. From yoga studios, record stores, cafes, and kava bars, it had no shortage of applicable ideas.
On a trip with the family to upstate New York, ChatGPT offered a variety of suggestions on activities that accommodated our varied interests and abilities. It allowed me to hone in on the places that were friendly for kids, dogs and seniors alike with far more ease and flexibility than I’d have on any search engine. I asked for ten options to choose from, and it provided them. Afterward, I requested thirty more, but with the stipulation that the activities were inexpensive. It complied within seconds.
ChatGPT exhibits an understanding of the world at large that’s simply profound. Whether within my city, in a different state, or abroad it can offer valuable advice on places to eat, sights to see, and trails to hike. This is actually one of the fields in which I’ve found the extent of ChatGPT’s knowledge most impressive.
From the coastal trails of California to the street markets of Cairo, it can suggest travel destinations because the body of data it’s trained on is colossal in a way that practically defies comprehension. Built directly into it is the collective wisdom of countless travel blogs, guides, and reviews. Its knowledge is deep and broad, and while it can’t substitute for real-time, local insights, it’s a great place to start when you’re planning your adventures.
Though I haven’t applied ChatGPT in any of my own international travel (I’ve only been using the application since January), I can confidently attest to its utility for nearly any domestic traveler.
In our exchanges, ChatGPT has provided seemingly sound travel advice for destinations spanning from Asia to the Middle East. But its approach is both dynamic and discerning. For instance, when I asked advice on family-friendly spots in Somalia, it judiciously balanced providing a list of potential activities with a crucial caveat: the U.S Department of State advises against travel to this region.
It’s important still to be leery of this burgeoning new technology. ChatGPT’s knowledge cutoff date in 2021 does mean that its travel advice won’t ever be rooted in real time. Additionally, the advice that it offers when asked for kid-friendly travel destinations in war-torn countries isn’t something to bet on. With the privacy concerns that surround AI, too, it’s vital to consider how our data is used and protected.
Despite these points of caution, in my travels through the Northeast United States, ChatGPT has hardly ever felt restrictive.
It hasn’t yet steered me toward a closed trail, a non-existent restaurant, or a dessert unworth having. In fact, it’s even helped me in times where eating out hasn’t been an option and available ingredients were limited. When supplied with a list of food items and seasonings, it can concoct novel recipes.
When a duck I’d ordered from a Chinese restaurant in Ithaca arrived without sauce, ChatGPT quickly helped me put one together for it once we’d gotten back to the place we were staying. Without a single ingredient you’d normally find in duck sauce, I was shocked at how well it turned out. The finished conglomeration used maple syrup, peri peri sauce, ethiopian seasoning and a couple other ingredients from our host’s kitchen.
Artificial intelligence is far from the only tool a traveler will need in their arsenal, and it’s hardly useful without a Wi-fi or cellular connection. But for those moments we find ourselves on the grid or equipped with the free Wi-fi of a local cafe, I think AI is a more useful tool than many might expect. Especially for inexperienced travelers like myself, the ability to instantly plan itineraries in unfamiliar places can be quite a blessing.
Even before now, we’d seen artificial intelligence seeping into the realm of travel. Recommendation engines on booking websites predict your preferences and suggest hotels and destinations you’d love. Social media, too, depends on Artificial Intelligence in tailoring your ads to vacations you’d likely enjoy. There are even AI-powered flight trackers that monitor hundreds of flights in real-time and predict delays. ChatGPT is just one piece in the ever-growing jigsaw puzzle of AI applications in travel.
With the current rate of improvement in AI, these tools are poised to play greater and greater roles in our lives in the years ahead. What exactly that will look like is still difficult to foresee. That we approach these strange new times with caution, though, is essential. As we stand on the cusp of this exciting new frontier, it’s clear that AI will have not just a seat, but a steering wheel. Where it will guide us is anyone’s best guess.