The blogging world is buzzing with thoughts, and not a few concerns, about using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create content, much like the unpredictable excitement one finds in a lightning roulette free game. Is AI-generated travel content replacing human-written content? In this article, I’ll explain what AI can’t tell you about travel and the role of the human element in travel writing.
AI-generated travel content is writing made by computers for things like aviation software development services, and product descriptions. It’s created without help from people. We already know the Top 10 Reasons you should read about travel. Is all travel writing the same, no matter where it comes from?
Bloggers must compete with the vast and unpredictable internet. It’s a worldwide brain. They can’t predict its outcomes, like in a roulette-free game. It has left several travel writers wondering if their work has become obsolete. It doesn’t need to be an “either/or” decision on where you find your travel information. It’s important to be aware of some of the limitations of AI-generated articles.
AI Content: What’s Missing?
There are some things that AI can’t tell you about travel, which is why travel bloggers remain helpful. You should be aware that AI-generated content regarding travel information has certain limitations.
This article isn’t against the use of AI. If you’re looking for that, plenty of articles explore the potential pitfalls of AI content. As mentioned, AI can boost content and make the writing process efficient in several cool ways. This means that creating and proofreading more content can benefit your readers.
Supporters of AI for writing believe it’s a fast and correct way to create valuable articles. Some people worry that this method might miss the personal touch. It can sometimes give wrong info or have errors because it’s not checked well by humans. They also note that human writers are not immune from writing inaccurate information.
Yet, you may be curious about what AI cannot do regarding travel information.
Artificial Intelligence can’t provide its own travel experiences. It can only repeat, fabricate, or amalgamate information from other individuals’ experiences. The information feels “new” because no one has packaged it in that exact manner.
So, why can’t AI share its own travel experiences? The reason is relatively simple. AI can’t travel.
AI has never taken one vacation in its entire life. It has never felt the warm, grainy sand between its virtual toes. It has never experienced that jaw-dropping moment when it sees an awe-inspiring scene. Technology has never benefited from releasing stress. It has never grown by engaging with new cultures. It’s never been to the Grand Canyon, practiced mindfulness, or ridden a train through the Alps.
AI has not and cannot enjoy all the tremendous mental health benefits of travel.
AI’s Echo: Second-Hand Insight
Think about this: would you ever take advice about a particular travel destination from someone who had never been there? Would you prefer to rely on a firsthand account? Or would you trust someone who knows somebody else who has been there?
AI has never visited the places it writes about. In other words, AI travel posts are second-hand information, as AI has never been there. Moreover, it will never be able to travel, as that is an exclusively human experience.
How could AI develop new ideas versus scraping from what’s already available and re-crafting it as “new”?
In most cases, the optimal option would be to learn from those with personal experiences. Consider a scenario in which AI has generated an article on the safety of a particular travel destination, though pulled contrasting opinions from the internet about the same destination.
AI can make travel articles that sound complete. But, they might mix ideal descriptions with differing opinions. This can be not very clear. It’s hard to know if the information, like safety, is correct. Putting together lots of information, even if it’s well-written, only sometimes means it’s useful. Real travel writers talk about places they’ve been to, so their stories feel real. There are great AI tools for writing, like Tailwind’s AI. But, relying only on them might not be the best idea because of these issues.
Travel Writing’s Human Touch
Plus, this is subjective; there’s something “off” about reading content that I know is AI-generated. In other words, there is a devalued element knowing that a person didn’t write a travel article. I question the accuracy more and enjoy the process of reading less. This happens when the content is AI-generated.
Have you ever felt like you were deceived after reading an article and reaching the end of it? You find the small print tagline stating that the content was AI-generated.
That’s a testament to improved AI technology. It can blend believable, well-written content. But, pay attention to that instance of surprise (or disappointment?) when you find out the article was not written by a travel writer but rather by an AI entity.
Plus, there’s an inherent bias in the human creators of AI. Adding emphasis in certain areas or extra focus in the AI algorithm can influence the content generated. For example, there’s still bias in AI content despite its machine-like composition.
It’s okay to enjoy the AI-generated content. It’s filled with helpful travel tips compiled from many sources. Appreciate the fantastic ways that AI can support travel writers.
Consider thinking that AI has surpassed the utility of travel writers. I value the personal.