Embracing the AI Revolution: Lessons from Historical Pivotal Moments

As a founder of a travel tech startup I am constantly learning about how we can streamline our business in ways that will make our everyday more effective. And as we stand on the brink of the AI revolution, it's fascinating to see how history often repeats itself. Just like the advent of electricity, automobiles, jet planes, and handheld devices, AI is set to transform our lives in profound ways. Let's take a fun trip down memory lane at pivotal life moments in history that changed the way we operate on a daily basis and see what we can learn from these historical turning points.

Historical Parallels

Electricity: When electricity was first introduced, it sparked both excitement and skepticism. Some folks thought it was downright dangerous and stuck to their candles. But early adopters quickly saw its potential, transforming industries and daily life. It took decades for electricity to become a household staple, as infrastructure had to be built and societal norms had to shift.

Automobiles: The introduction of cars in the late 19th and early 20th centuries faced similar hurdles. Early adopters saw the potential for personal and commercial transportation, while others clung to their horse-drawn carriages. Over time, as roads improved and car manufacturing became more efficient, cars became a staple of modern life, even influencing fashion and lifestyle. Again it took decades for people to adjust to this change but it happened and changed our lives in so many ways.

Jet Travel: The advent of jet travel in the mid-20th century revolutionized global connectivity. Early adopters, including business travelers and the wealthy, quickly took to the skies. However, it took years for jet travel to become accessible to the broader public, transforming how we think about distance and travel. Note that in the early days of passenger jets they had multiple issues, lost planes and people needed to adapt and adjust to the new possibilities that travel now offered, which in turn changed business and made tourism a new market.

Handheld Devices: Fast forward to the late 20th century, and we saw a similar pattern with handheld devices. Early adopters of mobile phones and later smartphones were often seen as tech enthusiasts. Over time, these devices became essential tools for communication, work, and entertainment, eventually becoming indispensable to our daily lives.. First hand devices came out in the 1970's with Mattel for gaming but hand held computers didn't come out till 1989 and even then we people didn't really adapt to them well and didn't know how to integrate them into their daily lives. Also they were expensive. The IBM Simon Personal Communicator, introduced in 1994, is considered the first smartphone. It featured a touch screen, email capabilities, and various applications, effectively merging the functionalities of a mobile phone with those of a handheld computer. This innovative device laid the groundwork for the evolution of modern smartphones.

TODAY we literally have a handheld device with us everywhere we go. It's with us all the time. But now we have a a full computer in our pockets that just happens to have a phone call capability. Now we can't do without them. These pivotal times are only just some of the things that have changed our lives within all that was the internet that has enabled us to be mobile but my point is it all took decades for us to adapt. However what is to come with AI and what is now will move really fast in the next 2-5 years, and by 2030 (5 years from now) every job and enterprise will be different. But instead of fear based thinking we need to skill up.

The AI Adoption Curve

AI is poised to follow a similar trajectory. Early adopters, including tech-savvy individuals and forward-thinking organizations, are already leveraging AI to drive innovation and efficiency. These pioneers are exploring AI's potential in areas such as healthcare, finance, and customer service, setting the stage for broader adoption.

However, as with any transformative technology, there will be laggards. These are individuals and organisations that may be hesitant to embrace AI due to concerns about job displacement, ethical implications, or simply a resistance to change. It's crucial to address these concerns through education, transparent communication, and demonstrating the tangible benefits of AI for each user case.

AI and the Traveller

For Business traveller, digital nomads and remote workers, AI offers exciting possibilities. Imagine AI-powered tools that can automate routine tasks, allowing you to focus on more creative and strategic work. AI can also enhance communication and collaboration, making it easier to work with teams spread across different time zones.

The question is; will it also make us better communicators as we learn to train these AI agents in our companies as we will need to communicate much more clearly. I wonder also if it will make us more precises communicators in our language and how it will change language over time? I wonder if it will it make us as more robotic like and take away our funny nuances. It does leave us with a big responsibility and we will all play our part.

Moreover, AI can help in personalising travel experiences. From AI-driven travel recommendations to smart assistants that manage your itinerary, the integration of AI into travel can make life on the road smoother and more enjoyable.

One of the biggest things that digital nomads and travellers of all shapes and styles as struggling with is loneliness. It is a common issue, but AI tools are being used to help this issue.

Personally I am even getting my mum chatting with Pi (an AI agent) so that she can discuss things and concerns just for mental health and she's in a nursing home. This tool can be used for travellers also, as are other agents such as Perplexity (good for research because it gives you references from where it got the info) Claude, copilot and other agents as well as ChatGPT.

Soon each employee will have an agent or copilot with them, which is already happening, as not a day goes by I am not using these agents above to help with my work, do research etc. I personally use these tools on a daily basis and travel with Alexa Dot.

Recently I was also introduced to NotebookLM another tool that i useful for understanding complex concepts and putting them into a podcast style chat, this is truly useful in a number of ways for business. The best way understand these tools is to play around with them and use them.

Preparing for the AI Shift

Basically it's here now, your in it! The readiness for this shift varies across different sectors and regions and countries. Some industries, like med tech and fintech, are fairly well-prepared and already integrating AI into their operations. The travel industry, however, is at a crossroads with AI integration, showing both readiness and areas needing improvement.

On one hand, many travel companies have embraced AI for personalisation, dynamic pricing, and operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences and streamlining services. AI-powered chatbots, for instance, are already improving customer service by providing instant responses and tailored recommendations.

Furthermore with the AI becoming more human like in it's interactions with us human types, we seem to be adapting to them with more ease, in some cases dangerously well. What I mean by this statement is the adoption of AI influencers and AI girlfriends for instance, with some preferring to interact with AI prsonas than humans as they empathis better than your human friends. But, I digress; that is a whole other convo!

The industry still faces challenges, such as the need for robust data management, overcoming technical complexities, and ensuring ethical use of AI to avoid biases—a concern that's been around since the early days of AI.

As AI continues to evolve, it will significantly alter traveler behaviors by making trip planning more intuitive and personalised, reducing friction in booking processes, and offering more customised travel experiences. This shift will likely lead to higher customer expectations for seamless, AI-enhanced interactions, pushing the industry to continuously innovate and adapt.

Where to Next?

The AI revolution is not just about technology; it's about people. By learning from historical shifts and addressing the challenges head-on, we can pave the way for a future where AI enhances our lives and drives progress. Whether you're an early adopter or a cautious observer, the key is to stay informed and be prepared for the changes ahead.

For digital nomads and remote workers, AI promises to transform the way we work and travel, making it an exciting time to be part of this global shift. So, let's embrace the AI future with open arms and a curious mind! Let's take responsibility in our business and interactions with this technology. Eric Schmidt (ex Google CEO and Co Author of the new book Genesis) said "we are not ready for what's to come..." but personally, I believe we can be aware and skill up!

So as we venture into this new bold world of AI let us stay informed, skill up in the knowing that jobs will look different in the future and we will do things differently. It's here now so we need to learn to work together, human and computer. I would love to hear your thoughts or experiences. Are you ready to dive into the AI world with a curious mind or ar you already riding the wave? If you care to share the tools you are traveling with to help you please leave a comment.

STAY innovative!

Linda McCall

Cofounder Nomad Stays