On Wednesday 28th November, Crowd attended an IFITT talk on artificial intelligence in the travel and tourism industry hosted by Bournemouth University and spearheaded by Professor Dimitrios Buhalis.
IFITT (the International Federation for Information Technologies and Travel & Tourism) is the leading independent global community for the discussion, exchange and development of knowledge about the use and the impact of new information and communications technologies (ICT) in the travel and tourism industry and experience.
It was an awe-inspiring event, with some of the world’s most respected academics in the field of artificial intelligence present and giving talks. These included: Dr Nigel Williams, President of IFITT -- Dr Iis Tussyadiah, Dr Luiz Mendes Filho, Professor Vasilis Katos and Dr Chulmo Koo.
These talks included topics such as Smart Tourism, AI’s role in Tourism, the issues around AI and Robotics and the principles of AI and arguably most importantly, the future of tourism with AI.
Following the talks from the academics of the group, the focus was moved on to how businesses within Dorset were using AI for themselves and for their clients. As such, we heard from Anthony Story of Silicon South and Lee Mallon of Rarely Impossible, hearing what great work they are doing in the area with this new technology.
There was also a great opportunity for Crowd ourselves to talk about how we were using AI for our clients, especially in the social media space of social listening and community management.
Thanks to Bournemouth University and to IFITT for a great and educational day!
