Artificial intelligence can help research destinations and simplify tasks like booking. But can AI also plan trips and vacations better than you?
To test the AI, Chris Van Cleve, senior transportation and national correspondent for CBS News, used the following tools: Google’s Gemini bot CBS News correspondent Nancy Chen, a veteran traveler herself, used traditional online tools to compare deals on flights, hotels, and activities. This is what they found.
Which approach saved you time and money?
For comparison, Van Cleve and Chen both planned trips to Las Vegas, Nevada, but they planned their trips differently.
Using Google’s Gemini AI app, Van Cleave created a suggested itinerary on his phone in less than a minute. Chen spent about 45 minutes comparing deals and reviews on websites like Expedia, Kayak, and TripAdvisor.
What’s the result? He saved time and the total cost of the flight and three nights in a five-star hotel came to $741.48, compared to $780.05 if Mr. Chen had rattled off the same itinerary.
“I think he won this round. He really needs a break now,” Chen said.
communication failure
However, while Gemini found some savings, it ran out once the pair were on the ground, and Van Cleve tasked Gemini with creating an itinerary of free activities and events.
“I’m on my way to letting AI guide me through the day,” Van Cleve said. The technology directed him to the Bellagio Resort & Casino, where it suggested he visit the free botanical gardens. However, that information seemed outdated.
“What it didn’t tell me is that every season they tear it down for holiday displays,” Van Cleve said.
Chen’s internet research led him to visit the Pinball Hall of Fame when it was open. Hundreds of pinball machines were on display there, including a vintage game from 1953.
The AI also disagreed with Van Cleve when he told him that the morning fountain show at the Bellagio was less crowded than the afternoon fountain show.
“The reason the morning fountain show is not as crowded is because there is no morning fountain show,” Van Cleve said. “It doesn’t start until 3 o’clock.”
When Van Cleve arrived at the spot he was expecting at the Mirage casino resort for the volcano show, he was again misdirected. In its place was a construction site where the new Hard Rock Cafe had not yet opened.
Even more successful, the AI directed Van Cleve to Fremont Street in Las Vegas’ arts district and made dinner reservations tailored to the correspondent’s preferences.
It is human to make mistakes
The search for Mr. Chen was not foolproof. She visited the Stratosphere Tower, the tallest observation tower in the United States, in hopes of getting a free ride to the drinks lounge on the top floor. There was just one problem.
“I thought the drink lounge was free, but I found out there was also an entrance fee,” she said.
In the end, while recognizing the unscientific nature of CBS News’ experiment, AI was the clear winner in terms of speed. However, it appears that human oversight is still needed to ensure the recommendations are up-to-date and accurate.
GuideGeek, one of the AI travel tools companies, told CBS News that its accuracy is 98%, but that it continually upgrades its technology to better advise users about attraction hours and other information. He said he is doing so. Users will also be directed to provide feedback if the AI provides incorrect recommendations in order to improve the product for other travelers.
In fact, major travel service providers seem confident that “generative AI,” which works by creating text, video, and other content based on existing data, is here to stay. Expedia, to name one of the major travel sites, has also launched its own site. AI travel toolto provide customers with various information, such as when is the best time to visit a particular destination.
Kris Van Cleave and Nancy Chen contributed to this report.
