Don’t Let AI Ruin Your Next Travel Plan

If you’ve read the news lately, you’ve likely seen the buzz about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Depending on who you ask, it’s either the greatest invention since the jet engine or every amateur scammer’s best friend.

As a traveler, the truth is somewhere in the middle. As the writer of this weekly newsletter, I believe in using every travel tool available—as long as you know how to use it safely.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini are incredible for the “dreaming” phase of travel. They can generate a 10-day itinerary for the Amalfi Coast in seconds. But before you let a computer plan your next big adventure, there are a few “digital potholes” you need to avoid.

Let’s dive into this topic!

1. Don’t Trip on “AI Slop”

There has been a surge in what experts call “AI Slop”. In fact, the word ‘slop’ was crowned 2025 Word of the Year by Merriam-Webster!

What is ‘AI slop,’ you ask? Webster defines it as: “low-quality digital content produced in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.”

This online content can be dangerous in more ways than one. First, it’s easy to fall for the trap that it’s well-researched and current content, and second, the slop is feeding the AI tools with more factually negligent material (so it spreads rapidly).

• The Risk: An AI guide might confidently recommend a “hidden gem” restaurant that actually closed in 2022, or worse, give you directions to a photo op that requires trespassing or dangerous hiking.
• Spot it: Look for “perfect” but generic descriptions. Slop often uses flowery language like “nestled in the heart of” or “a tapestry of culture” without mentioning specific street names, price points, or recent changes. Also, look carefully at the photos: AI-generated images often have details that look a little ‘off’, like signs with gibberish text.
• The Fix: Use AI for brainstorming, but verify the reality with Careful Research. Don’t just trust a star rating (which can be faked by bots). Instead, look for “messy” human details in recent reviews, like someone complaining about specific construction noise outside the hotel last week, or mentioning a waiter by name. If a business hasn’t had a “messy” human review in six months, it might not exist in the way the AI claims it does. When in doubt, cross-reference with the official local tourism board, the restaurant or travel site’s website, and consider a quick check in with Google Street View to see if the building is still standing.

2. AI Won’t Calculate Your Perfect Layover

The current versions of AI are language models, not a logistics expert. It might see a flight connection at a massive hub like London Heathrow and tell you 90 minutes is “plenty of time.”

• The Risk: AI doesn’t understand physical distance or human behavior. If a tool suggests a tight connection to save you $50, it isn’t counting for the fact that a single misplaced bottle of water in a carry-on can stall an entire security line for hours. If you miss your connecting flight, AI won’t be there to help.
• The Reality: Anyone who has been through Heathrow knows the truth. Between the purple terminal-transfer buses and the notoriously strict security checkpoints, 90 minutes is a massive gamble. AI sees a map; it doesn’t see the 400 people standing between you and your gate.
• The Fix: Never book a tight connection based on an AI’s suggestion. Always check the Minimum Connection Time (MCT) on the airport’s official website, then add at least 30-60 minutes as a “safety buffer”—more if you’re traveling with companions, checking bags, or unfamiliar with the airport. If you’re not comfortable sprinting through a terminal, give yourself even more time.

3. Don’t Get Stuck in “Bot Limbo”

Airlines and hotels are increasingly hiding their human support staff behind layers of AI chatbots. While a bot can handle simple tasks like changing a seat or selecting a hotel room, it is useless in a real travel emergency.

• The Risk: When a flight is canceled or a connection is missed, a bot often lacks the authority to rebook you on a partner airline or authorize a hotel voucher. If you spend an hour “chatting” with a machine that can’t actually help you, you’re losing precious time while the remaining seats on the next flight are being snapped up by other passengers.
• Spot it: You can usually tell you’re in a “bot loop” if the responses are instantaneous and perfectly formatted with bullet points. Another dead giveaway? The “agent” will keep repeating the same empathetic but empty phrases (like “I certainly understand your frustration”) without actually answering a specific question about your flight status.
• The Fix: Don’t waste time being polite to a machine. To break the loop and get a real person, use “escalation keywords.” Type or say “Agent,” “Human,” or “Representative” repeatedly. Some bots also respond to “Complaint” or “Technical Support.” If all else fails, tap 0 repeatedly to bypass the bot.

Pro tip: This is exactly why 24/7 human assistance through travel insurance can be a lifesaver. When the airline’s AI fails you, having a real person on the other end of the line who can actually solve problems is invaluable.

Think of AI as a high-powered research assistant who occasionally gets overenthusiastic and skips the facts. If a travel detail matters for your safety, your schedule, or your wallet, always verify it with a human source or official website.