The Future of AI

Imagine: it’s 2035. You're running late to the airport but your driverless car can pay other vehicles to move out of your path, hastening your journey. You arrive at your hotel to find the wardrobe full of clothes - your AI-enabled device having already informed the hotel team of your requirements. Travelling with no luggage has enabled your plane to be lighter, use less fuel, and create fewer carbon emissions. You're financially rewarded for your sustainability efforts and can also monetise your holiday by selling content of your trip online. This is the revolutionary future of travel, as painted by Rohit Talwar, CEO of Fast Future and AI specialist during the eye-opening think tank at our Edinburgh showcase.

For hospitality, understanding the balance between automated assistance and the human touch is crucial in an industry that so relies on personal interaction. Rohit’s message was clear: AI isn't out to replace humans, but hoteliers who understand and leverage AI tools for efficiency and effectiveness will thrive, while those who don't may struggle.

The session aimed to demystify AI, removing any fear attendees had by showcasing practical, real-life scenarios where it could be implemented. Attendees discussed how AI could assist them with day-to-day tasks such as RFP responses, client proposals, and event planning to free up valuable time for relationship building and creative thinking. By analysing attendee data such as past behaviour, preferences, and interests, AI algorithms can suggest relevant sessions, targeted campaigns, and customise agendas ensuring greater personalisation. While AI can automate tasks, it cannot replace the human creativity, critical thinking, and emotional connection crucial to event planning.

As to concerns about job losses, Rohit reasoned that - like with the advent of the Internet and social media - jobs are more likely to change and evolve than be lost altogether, but preparation and understanding are key. To that end, attendees were split into groups and tasked with using two AI platforms to help with the creation and marketing of a new, fictional country.

Using several prompts provided by Rohit, the groups planned the name, target markets, marketing and sales strategies, launch plan and even national anthems of their fictional country. Each team then proudly showed their launch videos to the wider group with varying degrees of success - AI isn't perfect, yet. Most attendees agreed that it wasn’t the output that was the most impressive aspect of the interactive session, but the speed with which time-consuming tasks were performed.