Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Experts Urge AI Support, Not Replace, Human Judgment in Tourism
Experts met in Meghalaya to discuss how artificial intelligence could change tourism.
They said AI should help people plan trips and deliver services, but should not make important judgments by itself.
Local people should continue to guide decisions about their communities and culture.
AI could help record and protect cultural heritage.
However, it may also create problems such as unfair decisions, false online content and lost jobs.
Speakers said people must be able to take control if technology stops working.
They also called for rules to protect data, traditions and local livelihoods.
Tourism workers will need both technology skills and human skills.
The overall message was that people should remain responsible for tourism decisions.
Experts at a Meghalaya symposium said AI should support tourism planning and services without replacing human judgment, local knowledge or cultural values.
Speakers identified algorithmic bias, cultural commodification, livelihood displacement, data ownership, cybersecurity and misleading AI content as key concerns.
Participants said AI and digital tools could help preserve cultural heritage, improve service delivery and support sustainable tourism.
Experts called for human oversight, regulatory safeguards and contingency plans allowing people to take over if technology fails.
Tourism professionals were urged to build communication, teamwork, adaptability, ethics and other skills alongside technical capabilities.
- Who
- Academic scholars, tourism and industry experts, government officials and other participants, including Aiban Swer, Dr E B Majaw, Prof Desmond L Kharmawphlang, Vikas Tembhare, Dr Benjamin F Lyngdoh and Dr Pynshailang Syiemiong.
- What
- They discussed using artificial intelligence to redesign tourism while preserving human judgment, local knowledge, cultural values and sustainability.
- When
- The symposium was held on a Monday; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Synod College in Meghalaya.
- Why
- To examine the opportunities, ethical risks, governance needs, skills requirements and sustainability implications of integrating AI into tourism.
AI Expansion and Innovation
Human Oversight and Cultural Safeguards
Role of AI in tourism
AI Expansion and Innovation
AI can support planning, personalization, smart service delivery, predictive tools, digital marketing and tourism infrastructure.
Human Oversight and Cultural Safeguards
AI should remain a tool and must not replace human judgment, local knowledge or community decision-making.
Cultural preservation
AI Expansion and Innovation
Digital technologies can document and preserve cultural heritage and support cultural tourism.
Human Oversight and Cultural Safeguards
Governance must prevent cultural commodification and protect local traditions, indigenous knowledge and community interests.
Technology and employment
AI Expansion and Innovation
A technology-driven tourism sector can improve services and requires workers to develop new capabilities.
Human Oversight and Cultural Safeguards
Policy must address possible livelihood displacement and ensure that people can intervene when technology fails.
- Symposium title
- Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism
- Organizer
- Department of Sociology at Synod College
- Core principle
- AI should support planning and service delivery, not replace human judgment.
- Policy concerns
- Algorithmic bias, cultural commodification, livelihood displacement and data ownership.
- Potential uses
- Machine learning, generative AI, natural language processing, computer vision, predictive analytics and recommendation systems.
- Cultural preservation
- Speakers said digitalization could help document and safeguard cultural heritage.
- Workforce needs
- Tourism professionals need communication, teamwork, conflict-handling, adaptability and ethics skills.