10 Comments
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Laura Bennett's avatar

Thank you for keeping this topic going with smart reporting. Truly believe this could change travel as we know it. You are such an important voice, much appreciated.

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Christopher Elliott's avatar

Thanks, Laura. I'm glad you like the story.

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Bernard Nash's avatar

We never go anywhere without reading his podcast about what what’s new

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Houry's avatar

I used to put my own drinks in the hotel minibar, after moving the bottles and cans already in the minbar. I thought as long as every hotel-provided item was still in the mini fridge when we left, it wouldn’t be an issue. No more. I’ve had to fight extra charges on my hotel bills several times. Some hotels will provide a mini fridge for use if you ask - that’s my new plan.

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Bernard Nash's avatar

So I have two answer to this. One I think we’re being a little paranoid how much AI is in our life. I have not been affected by the things you’re talking about and we’ll see how much of a blowback there is obviously it’s out there keep a close eye for it. The more important fact is all this AI is sucking the energy out of our grid the cancellation of solar power and wind farms we do not have enough electricity to power our grid. Approximately 6% now is going towards AI and with their increasing use of enormous data farms electric prices will be going sky high. That’s what concerns me.

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Chriscfrn's avatar

Not only is AI sucking the energy from existing grids, the damage to the environment will be massive. A good article listing the issues: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1116327/ai-energy-usage-climate-footprint-big-tech/

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David Poriss's avatar

I am very careful not to touch anything in the mini-bar. However, if there is SPACE in the fridge, I leave an EXTRA bottle of water, just to freak them out. 😂

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Laurie Beyoghlow's avatar

nothing to do with AI but we were contacted to pay for a broken seat belt on a rental car in England, months after the rental was turned in.

We talked to the rental rep and she ended up closing the case. Check inside the trunk and inside the car too.

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Henry Strozeski's avatar

I answered yes only because the AI tool will be misused by companies in their ruthless pursuit of excessive profits.On a personal level ,I love the tool. I use it to help me do things on my device that I don’t know how to do ( take a screen shot) Also does research for me in a efficient manner-can I get free bags if I book through Expedia but use airline credit card to pay

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Joseph Blondo's avatar

Recently I was having a very difficult time finding a reasonable airfare from Phoenix to Guadalajara. As this is my third season flying to Guadalajara I remember well what I paid in the past. I began getting quotes ranging form $800-1500.00. I thought that this is insane. I kept changing dates while also checking at different times of the day and week. Finally I found an Aeromexico flight for $426.00 RT by shifting my arrival and departure dates. Since this is the first time I experienced this kind of struggle I am guessing AI is to blame. What I find interesting is why airlines think the customer, especially savvy travelers like me, will fall for this kind of AI manipulation. I do not like it, not finding it particularly entertaining spending multiple hours grappling with AI generated hijinks. It is neither pleasant nor kind.

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