Generative artificial intelligence has seen significant advancements in recent weeks, with OpenAI, Google, and Meta all releasing updated AI models that showcase their chatbots as personal assistants capable of understanding text, video, photos, and audio. This development has the potential to impact travel companies as users may choose to adopt these AI assistants rather than products built by travel companies using OpenAI and Google technology. The discussion around these advancements will be featured at Skift’s Data and AI Summit in June, where industry experts will discuss the adoption of AI in the travel industry.
While OpenAI’s latest generative AI model has shown some factual errors in initial testing, the company, along with Google and Meta, continues to push forward to create high-tech digital travel concierges. Voice translation capabilities in the ChatGPT app allow for language barriers to be broken down, offering instant translation of multiple languages, including slang and idioms. OpenAI’s upcoming voicebot is set to include features like non-verbal cue recognition and the ability to change its tone, making it more human-like in its interactions.
Visual translation capabilities in OpenAI and Meta’s technology can assist travelers in translating menus and other visual text, providing cultural information and recommendations. AI chatbots such as ChatGPT are designed to act as virtual tour guides, offering real-time assistance by processing surroundings and providing information about historical landmarks and points of interest. Google and Meta have both showcased how their chatbots can assist users in trip planning.
AI-powered trip planning capabilities are at the forefront of Google and Meta’s offerings. Google has demonstrated how its reimagined search bar integrates AI-generated summaries and videos into search results, emphasizing trip planning alongside booking options. Meta AI chatbot offers trip planning assistance within group chats on messaging apps like Messenger and Whatsapp, allowing users to receive travel recommendations and flight information. The advancements in AI technology are reshaping the way users interact with travel planning tools and services.
OpenAI is leading in the development of virtual personal assistants with tour guide capabilities, while Google excels in creating effective trip planning tools integrated with booking options. Meta’s digital tour guide feature through its glasses is innovative, but limitations may hinder its overall usefulness. As Meta AI through messaging apps lacks the ability to view photos, it may be considered behind in terms of offering a comprehensive travel assistant. The future of AI in the travel industry is promising, with companies continuously innovating to enhance the travel experience for users.
