THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2023 - TRAVEL, INTERNET AND AI

 THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2023 INTERNET AND TRAVEL

Last week I wrote about travel. This week I want to tie that to the Internet.  

First, some examples:

Scenario 1: (March 1983)

We had been to Minnesota for a family gathering. It generally was a five-hour drive to return to South Dakota. We stayed longer than I liked and had heard the weather forecast. Although I had driven those particular roads frequently, I didn’t want to go all the way in the dark on backroads. And - it started to snow, and then it was snowing heavily. You couldn’t see the road - it was covered in white snow. The wind was blowing it all over. I was driving, and I could feel the car slide on what was slick wet snow. It was dangerous - time to stop. 

So, my spouse pulled out her phone, found lodging in the next community, and booked a room for us. (NOPE - not in 1983 - there were no iPhones, no internet).  

We drove to the next town, and a hotel had a “Vacancy” sign; we pulled in, walked to the desk, and reserved a room for the night. Done.

No Internet - no ability to search for lodging.

Note - we didn’t have any options of price - a room for the night in a snowstorm - no matter the cost. 

*****

Scenario 2: (June 1974)

It was our honeymoon (1974), and we were going to the North Shore of Lake Superior. I had looked at maps. We had AAA and could get both maps and their tour books. We planned to go passed Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Light House, and stay in Silver Bay, Minnesota, for a night. With the tour books, we found a motel, and I called and made a reservation. (Otherwise, it would be a drive up and down the road looking for a place with a vacancy sign!)

We didn’t have credit cards and paid in cash.

No Internet, no electronic payment systems.

*****

Scenario 3: (2023)

My friend wanted to visit Port Aransas for a few days. She searched for rooms using her computer and found one in our price range. She looked at the comments, clicked “Book,” and paid with a credit card - BINGO!!!

The website showed this property was just off the beach but had a walkway through the dunes to the beach. There were a lot of pictures of the area.

The manager texted my friend when the room was clean and ready.  

Use of the Internet to find a room for us  Use of texting. Use of credit card payment systems.

*****

Scenario 4: (2030 - future)

We decided to go to Port Aransas again. We discussed our AI (artificial intelligence) interface (like Siri). We gave parameters like days, cost, location, and amenities and said, “Search.”  

Within 5 seconds, there was a list. The AI interface considered our ages, previous experiences, and food preferences and filled out a plan for eating and excursions. Since my friend was now using a walker (which the AI Interface knew), it picked locations that were accessible to walkers. We had options, but the AI Interface knew we liked Paradise Key restaurant. It interfaced with the restaurant to ensure we got the best discount and a table by the window. 

Our AI Interface analyzed our finances, personalities, and infirmities and recommended Marco as our waiter. Marco had a bottle of San Resento 2021 on reserve for us. The interface also had a shrimp boat to dock while we were there (for ambiance). Directions for the trip (restaurant and attractions)  went direct to our innovative autonomous vehicle. Since my birthday was in three weeks, the AI Interface had a small cake at the end of our meal - a white cake with peach ice cream (my favorite).

The AI Interface knew we liked to sit on the beach and reserved a beach location with a canopy and beach chairs that would be there after our afternoon naps.  

*****

Artificial intelligence will happen - whether we want it or not. We can override its decisions, but it (the interface) will know us deeply to know precisely what I want - even if I can’t quite express it myself!!!

*****

Computing - leading to artificial intelligence is powerful. Will we lose our ability to think? No, but it will supplement - and guide us. 

The concept of a computer helping make decisions is almost old news. Go to LendingTree.com and put in your information - and in 10 seconds, the computer has made a lending decision based on your credit score, job age, and previous financial situations. A human did not make the loan decision - but the computer did!

*****

Today (2023), you can use any of the many hotel reservation sites to find a room if you are traveling. Trivago, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others will do the calculation for a hotel. Likewise, many places will handle airfare plans.  

Medical decisions are made with personal data - but with an “artificial interface” making the decision. Is a person’s BMI (Body Mass Indicator) at a level where surgery can be performed? Is the blood pressure too high?  

*****

Years ago, I did a dissertation on “Expert Systems” - the concept of encoding the logic of a human expert into a computer system. (Comment - I should have stayed up with that topic; as we moved into Artificial Intelligence, I would have been at the forefront of technical development.) 

Yes, computing can make travel much more straightforward. Computing can make medical and financial decisions easier (and better).  

Yes, AI is here to stay and will improve our lives. Will there be problems? Probably. In the long run, it will come out on top.

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, JULY 27, 2023