AI Planned My Vacation

But couldn't write this article

- By Linda Ruth

With my 35th wedding anniversary coming up, I wanted to plan something extra special. My husband is ambivalent about travel—sure it’s a big treat but it’s also a big pain. Plus, when you travel, you’re not at home!

I have a reputation as the family’s travel planner. This year, though, I wondered: might AI have something to contribute?

Even before the development of ChatGPT, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have revolutionized aspects of travel, from searching for destinations and accommodations to creating personalized itineraries. Popular travel apps such as TripAdvisor (free) leverage AI to analyze reviews and provide personalized recommendations based on user preferences. I wanted to take that a step forward, using an AI language model as my personal concierge.

I got off to a rocky start with ChatGPT. Trying to open the web app on my iPhone was my first hurdle. I consistently got error messages which, later, the app apologetically explained away as being due to a simple overload of enthusiastic new users. Once we were finally up and running smoothly, I opened a chat about my trip.

If I were to visit Costa Rica, I asked, how should I spend my seven days? I wanted, I explained, mostly nature and recreation, along with some history and culture. Forget the nightlife, I advised, but if you could throw in a volcano, I wouldn’t take it amiss.