Rome’s New AI Guide, Julia: Revolutionizing the City’s Tourism Experience
Microsoft has introduced Julia, a cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence virtual assistant set to assist the anticipated 35 million visitors in Rome during the Vatican’s Jubilee Year in 2025.
Developed in collaboration with OpenAI and the city of Rome, this virtual guide named Julia will be easily accessible through digital platforms like WhatsApp and various messaging apps.
Julia was specifically crafted to enhance the accessibility of tourist information, promote lesser-known attractions, and alleviate congestion at popular sites, all in a bid to create what Rome envisions as “a quiet revolution in how people experience the city”.
Users can inquire about visiting details for cultural landmarks, receive recommendations on the best routes to take, and get insider tips on hotels, museums, public transportation, and dining options. The city assured that the data provided is sourced directly from local operators and reputable external outlets.
The mastermind behind this innovative AI assistant is Roman economist and tourism expert, Antonio Preiti, who describes Julia as “a personal advisor at your fingertips”.
Meet Julia, Rome’s new AI-based virtual tour guide, providing users with precise and personalized responses, making it easily accessible to citizens and tourists alike.
For more information, visit https://t.co/pF8wVbpiPV pic.twitter.com/wgD84Gi20C
Preiti states that Julia aims to combat the challenges of overtourism and the surface-level information often found on the internet, which exacerbates overcrowding at renowned sites like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Vatican.
Describing this phenomenon as a dangerous cycle, Preiti emphasizes that the internet’s focus on major attractions contributes to overlooking numerous other fascinating sites in the city. There’s more to Rome than just the Colosseum.
Choosing the name Julia was deliberate, as it holds significance across various languages and has historical ties to Rome, with both Julius Caesar and Augustus having daughters named Giulia.
This multilingual guide is set to launch soon and was recently presented in Rome by Microsoft’s CEO and chairman, Satya Nadella, alongside Rome’s Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri.
“We are at the forefront globally in offering such an innovative tool to millions of residents and tourists,” remarked Gualtieri. “Julia serves as a trustworthy virtual companion, equipped with all the essential information to navigate, explore, and savor this vast heritage in a fresh and imaginative manner.”
