Planning a vacation can be a stressful task—comparing flights, booking hotels, and finding activities. But with the rise of artificial intelligence, many are wondering if AI can do it faster and cheaper. CBS News tested this out by having two correspondents plan the same trip to Las Vegas using different methods: one with AI and the other with traditional research. The results were eye-opening.
Speed and Savings: AI’s Early Victory
CBS News’ Kris Van Cleave used Google’s Gemini AI to plan his Las Vegas trip. In under a minute, he had a full itinerary, including a flight and three nights at a five-star hotel. The total cost? Just $741.48. Meanwhile, seasoned traveler Nancy Chen took the traditional route, spending 45 minutes browsing websites like Expedia and Kayak. Her trip ended up costing $780.05 for the same itinerary. While both saved money, Van Cleave’s AI-planned trip was faster and more affordable.
However, the AI’s performance faltered once the trip was underway. Van Cleave’s itinerary included outdated information, like a suggestion to visit the Bellagio’s botanical garden, which was closed for the season. AI also led him to the Mirage for a volcano show, only to find a construction site instead. In contrast, Chen’s research led her to the open Pinball Hall of Fame and the Stratosphere Tower’s drinks lounge (though she did get caught with a surprise admission fee).
While AI excelled at speed, it fell short in providing accurate, up-to-date information, highlighting that human oversight is still necessary. Companies like GuideGeek, however, continue to improve AI’s accuracy with user feedback to enhance recommendations.
In the end, while AI offers a significant advantage in planning speed, it still requires a human touch to ensure accuracy, making it a valuable tool but not a perfect solution.