HOW CAN AI HELP YOU PLAN A TRIP?

WITH AI INCREASINGLY BECOMING PART OF OUR LIVES, EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON THE BEST WAYS TO USE TOOLS LIKE CHATGPT FOR TRAVEL AND HOW TO AVOID BEING DUPED BY FALSE FACTS. 

- ABIGAIL BASSETT

With the introduction of accessible new artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as ChatGPT, travel will never be the same. Instead of slogging through hours of research, users can get similar results after a quick conversation with AI tools — simplifying planning, making it easier to discover new experiences and streamlining the booking process. It can be used to great effect for myriad travel functions, like generating ideas, spotlighting small businesses and translating languages — but there are tricks to using it well. Here’s what you need to know for making the most of AI.

What are the best uses for AI for travel?

These currently fall largely into the planning and purchasing phase. “All the excitement around booking a trip can quickly become overwhelming when travellers are faced with lots of options that each require research,” says Rathi Murthy, the chief technology officer of Expedia Group. “This is what AI can solve in travel.”

Many AI platforms incorporate ChatGPT, a San Francisco-based platform you can use for free, in-browser or through an iOS app (an app for Android is also coming soon). Up to its knowledge cut-off date of September 2021, ChatGPT generates suggestions based on details in your request. For $20 (£16) a month, users can upgrade to GPT-4, which offers additional web plug-ins and searches for current information, like live pricing and weather.