With every passing year, technology only continues to improve. In every aspect of the hotel business, technology has become an important asset. Of all these technological innovations, one of the most promising fields is artificial intelligence.
AI has become a building block of many hotels. From the room service to the overall management, no hotel won’t find use out of artificial intelligence. The future is AI and it’s in your hotel’s best interest to stay on top of that train. Despite its advancements, it’s not a new technology. AI has been around a lot longer than people may think.
How exactly has AI been a part of our lives? What hotels have made regular use of the technology? How can it be used to improve modern hotel practices? Let’s figure that out today.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)
To put it simply, artificial intelligence is a field of computer science dedicated to mimicking the human brain. The difference is artificial intelligence is far more efficient and faster than a human operator could ever be. The ability to think like a human being allows for some insane technological feats. It allows for the sorting of large amounts of raw data in a matter of minutes.
Artificial intelligence in old technology. It has been around since the late 1950s, the term was coined in 1957, and scientists dreamed of the possibilities. Science fiction authors would tell of automatons that could calculate amazing things, to the point of predicting the future. AI remained in the realm of fiction for most people until 1997. IBM’s Deep Blue, in an upset, defeated Gary Kasparov, one of the greatest grandmasters in chess of all time.
This convinced the general populace of the power of artificial intelligence. Now, artificial intelligence is in every modern establishment.
How AI Transforms Business
There are several innovations by artificial intelligence you can apply to your hotel.
Automation
Automation is the benefit you hear about most. Automation of tasks is a broad term. This makes it difficult to visualize just how many industries automated have improved for the better. Using AI to develop large projects[C1] is commonplace nowadays. To show some examples:
- Home Appliances
- Self-driving cars
- File Management
- Transportation Apps
- Voice Input
- Self-Repair
- Documentation
- Data Analysis
Automation saves billions of dollars on manual labor every year. Not only money but time as well. Tasks that once took hours to do are now doable in seconds. This doesn’t just extend to software tasks either. Automating robots has led to factories being more efficient than ever before.
Improved Customer Experience
AI has allowed the customer experience to be more streamlined than ever before. Chatbots have been used as early as the 1960s. The first chatbot ever made was ELIZA in 1966. To modern eyes, it may seem rather primitive. However, test subjects back then were convinced they were talking to a human being. It came packaged with answers to common inquiries.
Despite being a caricature of human conversation, it proved good enough for people in the 60s. Many theorized that AI would be able to mimic humans perfectly in the future. For now, the best use of chatbots is as customer support. If you’ve ever needed to fix your internet service, you’ve talked to a chatbot before. Chatbots are used to direct users to the correct departments. No more need for a manual inquiry. The chatbot can answer common inquiries and save time for both the hotel and the customer.
Advancements In Scientific Industries
Research into AI-assisted surgery is also making waves. Some internet folks may remember the “surgery on a grape” meme making the rounds. While many consider it amusing, some people forget how impressive it was for a robot + human pairing to do such a delicate operation. Imagine if the grape was someone’s heart valve. That sort of precision is what every doctor needs to help save lives. AI helps make that possible.
Bioscience has also made large strides in prosthetics and bionics. Those who have missing limbs now make use of bionic alternatives. What was once a plastic stump and a hook, is now a highly advanced limb capable of things the human limbs are capable of. For hotels, AI technology that makes the stay of handicapped guests easier is essential to fulfilling their role of serving people of all shapes and sizes.
Complex Problem Solving
AI and machine learning let hotels analyze data more efficiently than ever before. By using predictive models and advanced algorithms, large chunks of raw data can be analyzed in mere minutes. This raw data is used to create potential scenarios and trends. This data is used to stay ahead of the competition.
The advancements of AI are also crucial in research and development. In many ways, AI has been used to progress itself. Studies in different fields are streamlined thanks to AI looking through all the data and giving the essentials to the user.
Machine learning is what makes all of this possible. The ability to solve complex issues isn’t just limited to data analysis either. It enables other tasks such as error detection, targeted advertising, natural disaster prediction, weather forecast, and medical checkups. AI lets humans focus on important tasks by cutting down on the dime. Efficiency means more tasks are done, and it leaves managers time to handle the big picture.
Risk Management
AI is used for making big decisions about your hotel. Data analysis allows the higher-ups to observe every scenario. Risk management technology means hotels can be proactive in their pursuits. Instead of hiring a cybersecurity expert after a malware attack, risk assessment lets you know ahead of time when attacks are possible. You stop problems before they even start.
In case you’re already in the midst of a disaster, AI is still useful. It can simulate several solutions, down to the budget necessary to fix things. AI at work lets you worry smarter, and provides solutions to curb said worries.
Reduces Errors
In addition to savings, automation also reduces errors. AI is easily patchable. If it makes a mistake, you can ensure it doesn’t happen again. Not only that, AI constantly documents itself. You can easily find the trail to an error. AI is unhindered by physical tiring or time constraints. It will do tasks as programmed. Digital systems are inherently more efficient that way. Businesses will only benefit from what is essentially “error-free” labor at any size.
Over to you
The hotel industry is always changing, especially during a time of crisis. Make sure to future-proof your business and continue attracting new guests by investing in these solutions.
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Related article: How Hotels can use Artificial Intelligence to tap into New Uncontested Social Media Audiences, Without Breaking the Budget
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NOTE
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About Are Morch
Hi, I am Are Morch. Your Digital Transformation Coach that helps hotels create unique and unexpected experiences by freeing up resources to focus on new ideas through value innovation and a growth mindset.
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