Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1504500
5.12.19 12 Alexiei Dingli Prof Alexiei Dingli is a Professor of AI at the University of Malta and has been conducting research and working in the field of AI for more than two decades, assisting different companies to implement AI solutions. He forms part of the Malta.AI task-force, set up by the Maltese government, aimed at making Malta one of the top AI countries in the world 27.7.2023 OPINION Travel transformed: the impact of AI on your vacation plans IMAGINE a world where planning a vacation is as easy as having a conversation. Meet Jane, a busy professional with a passion for travel. After a long day at work, she's looking forward to her upcoming va- cation. But instead of spend- ing hours on end researching destinations, comparing hotel prices, and reading reviews, she turns to her new trav- el companion: an AI-pow- ered assistant. With simple prompts, Jane receives per- sonalised travel recommenda- tions that perfectly match her criteria. is scene isn't from a sci-fi movie; it's the reality of today's travel industry, trans- formed by the power of Arti- ficial Intelligence (AI). AI is changing the way we plan our vacations. For in- stance, several real-world conversational AI systems developed for hotel book- ings already handle tens of thousands of daily searches. These systems use machine learning models for intent classification, named entity recognition, and information retrieval tasks, providing per- sonalised hotel recommen- dations based on individual preferences. is practical application of AI saves travellers like Jane countless hours of research and makes booking accom- modations a breeze. But AI's influence doesn't stop at hotel bookings. It's also being used to predict travel patterns and manage tour- ist flow at popular destina- tions. is technology could help manage overcrowding at popular tourist spots and im- prove the visitor experience. Major travel companies are also harnessing the power of AI. Some companies have de- veloped AI-based systems for real-time travel demand fore- casting. ese systems generate high- ly accurate predictions, help- ing companies create more efficient and effective trav- el policies. Imagine a future where overbooking and over- crowded flights are a thing of the past, all thanks to AI's ability to forecast travel de- mand accurately. AI combined with other technologies such as Aug- mented Reality (AR) will also redefine the travel experience, adding a new dimension to how we explore and interact with the world. Imagine Jane walking through the histor- ic streets of Rome with an AR-powered tour guide, over- laying the modern cityscape with a vivid reconstruction of the ancient Roman Empire. As she points her device at the Colosseum, AI algorithms identify the monument and provide a wealth of informa- tion, from its construction history to its significance in Roman society. Or consider visiting a bus- tling market in Tokyo, where an AR translation app deci- phers signs and menus in real time, making navigation and communication a breeze. ese technologies can also enhance accessibility for trav- ellers with disabilities, pro- viding auditory or visual aids to help them fully engage with their surroundings. By merging the digital and phys- ical worlds, AR and AI offer a more immersive, informative, and personalised travel expe- rience, transforming how we connect with new places and cultures. While AI is transforming the travel industry, it's important to remember the value of the human touch in travel plan- ning. AI can provide a list of top-rated destinations or ac- tivities, but it may not discern the authenticity of these expe- riences. Moreover, travel planning can be complex, and many travellers like Jane still value the personal touch that hu- man travel agents provide. They offer the emotional con- nection and humane under- standing that AI, at least for now, cannot replicate. Despite its potential, AI has its limitations. For instance, AI-based systems may pro- duce prediction biases, rais- ing fairness issues. Also, AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on, and outdated or incorrect data can lead to inaccurate recommendations. Like other savvy travellers, Jane needs to be aware of these limitations and use AI as a tool, not a re- placement for her judgment and research. AI is also being used to en- hance the visual experience of tourists. By pairing geotagged internet photographs with machine learning algorithms, AI systems identify travel pat- terns across known archaeo- logical heritage circuits and analyse them. This technology could give travellers a richer, more immersive experience of their chosen destination. The integration of AI into the travel industry is just the beginning. As AI continues to evolve, it promises to make travel planning more person- alised, efficient, and inno- vative. But it's important to remember that AI is a tool to assist us, not replace the hu- man touch that adds richness to our travel experiences. As we navigate this exciting new landscape, we can look forward to a future where AI is our trusted travel compan- ion, helping us create unfor- gettable journeys. is is not just a technologi- cal revolution; it's a new chap- ter in the story of travel, where AI and human ingenuity work hand in hand to create better travel experiences for all. AI is transforming the travel industry