As Bryant’s executive director of global education, Cindi Lewis is always creating programs and opportunities for the university community to enhance their understanding of the world. That’s why, when artificial chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot rose in popularity, Lewis decided to test the chatbots’ capabilities in developing a suitable travel itinerary. To measure the AI’s success, she selected a location that she knew like the back of her hand: Paris.  

“I wanted to see how well the AI responded to what I think would be good sites to visit based on my knowledge of the city,” says Lewis, an avid traveler who has spent more than two decades in international education. 

Prompting both ChatGPT and Copilot to create a six-day trip in Paris, the two bots quickly compiled a day-by-day itinerary. Immediately noticing the AI’s strengths and weaknesses, Lewis continued interacting with the chatbots and navigated the best approach to using AI in travel planning. Below, she shares tips and tricks for curating your vacation: 

1. Use AI for idea generation 

In trip planning, AI is best used for idea generation, says Lewis. When you're traveling to a place you’ve never visited, you often don't know what questions to ask. To conjure more activity recommendations, Lewis suggests people ask chatbots the following: What are some hidden gems I should see? What am I missing from the itinerary? What other recommendations have tourists made about this location? 

“Unless you do a lot of deep diving and ask the right questions, you may end up a bit disappointed with the overall experience if it's a city you're not familiar with,” Lewis says, noting that in her conversation with Copilot, the chatbot offered three follow-up questions to prompt users think deeper. 

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To tailor the trip to your interests, Lewis suggests including your likes within your AI prompt — though she warns that doing so has its pros and cons. For instance, when Lewis told ChatGPT and Copilot that she liked coffee and art, her whole six-day itinerary became about those two things and didn’t list iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame Cathedral. 

“The problem with AI is that it's going to focus on those specific elements instead of incorporating them into a larger context if you don't think to ask about it,” says Lewis. “To sidestep this issue, you will have to tell the AI to forget the interests you mentioned before and ask what else you should see or do.” 

2. Set specific parameters 

When ChatGPT and Copilot provided Lewis with her Parisian itinerary, she was surprised that the AI didn’t factor in down time or free time to explore the area. For instance, after landing in the City of Love, the chatbot advised her to grab a coffee and head to the Louvre Museum. 

“Going to the Louvre is the last thing you should do after having gotten off an overnight flight,” Lewis says, explaining that most American flights arrive in Paris in the morning; if you’re not well rested, it’s unlikely that you’ll have the energy to appreciate one of the world’s largest museums that spans approximately 18 acres and houses revered artistic works. 

She notes that the first day of a trip should be kept lowkey, and you’ll want to inform your AI about making this a light day. Additionally, you want to ask the AI to build in free time so you can explore the area, take pictures, and potentially stumble upon something you didn’t expect. 

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Furthermore, letting your chatbot know which day of the week that you’re landing is important to ensuring that the places it recommends you visit are open. For instance, in Paris, museums are usually closed on Mondays or Tuesdays. 

“Double check everything to make sure the museum is going to be open that day if you're going to stick to the hard and fast itinerary that an AI tool gives you,” Lewis says, adding that museums tend to close earlier in off seasons, and people ought to ask for curated recommendations for on or off season travels. 

3. Understand AI’s limitations 

While you can give AI a budget to work around or ask for projected costs related to hotels, food, transportation, museums, and more, Lewis says you should expect to spend more than what the AI suggests you’ll need.  

“Those numbers are a jumping off point like everything else,” Lewis says. 

She adds that both chatbots provided estimates in dollars, but it might be helpful to see those values translated into the currency of the country you’re visiting. With Paris, for instance, Lewis focused on the euro. 

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“Depending on the value of the dollar versus the euro, it may be that you're spending $600 but are now only getting €480 in euros because the value of the dollar has dropped. Or it could be that the value of the dollar has strengthened, and for $600, you're getting €600. It doesn't happen very often, but we're seeing more of a decline in the value of the dollar,” Lewis says. 

On a separate note, Lewis shares that it’s important to check the locations of different places to maximize your time and do what makes the most sense. 

“They have me doing the Musée d'Orsay one day and the Musée de l’Orangerie on a different day. They are legitimately across the bridge from one another, and you can buy a combo ticket. So, it's like, why not just fill one day with Impressionism?” Lewis says. 

4. Keep your bucket list a priority 

Ultimately, Lewis wants travelers to remember that AI chatbots are good tools to get ideas flowing, but you shouldn’t blindly follow the itinerary these bots provide.   

“The goal is always to get out there and see the world. This is your experience, your trip. You want to come back with just the best stories, and this is one tool to help you get to some of those things,” Lewis says. 

She notes that, if you’re looking for a tool to help you but AI isn’t working out or it’s your first trip and you don’t want to do a tour, there are travel sites that allow you to work with someone to build your travel itinerary. There are a ton of resources out there, and it’s important to find one that fits your comfort zone and budget.  

“You want to get lost in the city and you want to explore because that's sometimes where you find the beauty in your love of a place,” Lewis says.