Whenever I visit a city like Venice, Rome, or San Francisco, I always face the same challenge: how do I make the most of the experience? I want to do more than just see the sights—I want to truly understand them. But to do that, I either need to hire a local guide or try to figure everything out on my own.
Don’t get me wrong, guides can be fantastic. A good one can make a place come alive, sharing fascinating stories and context. But they’re expensive, you have to work around their schedule, and—let’s be honest—some guides are better than others. On the flip side, exploring alone often leaves me feeling like I’m missing out on the bigger picture. What’s the story behind that building? What did it look like centuries ago? Why is it significant? Without a guide, I’m just guessing.
That’s why I’ve started thinking about what the future could look like. I believe we’re heading toward a world where none of this will be an issue.
Imagine This: AI-Powered Glasses
Picture this: You arrive at your destination and are handed a pair of sleek, AI-powered glasses. The moment you put them on, they greet you by name. They already know which language you speak and even your interests, because you’ve shared a bit of information with them in advance.
The experience feels completely tailored to you. As you start walking, the glasses guide you through the city, pointing out landmarks and telling you their stories through an earpiece in a warm, friendly voice. No stiff, generic explanations—this guide feels like a companion who really gets what you’re interested in.
A Tour That Brings History to Life
What makes these glasses truly incredible is the augmented reality (AR). When you look at a landmark, the glasses overlay information directly onto what you’re seeing. For example, imagine standing in front of the Colosseum. Through the glasses, you don’t just see its current state—you see what it looked like 2,000 years ago, bustling with life. You hear the roar of the crowd and see gladiators preparing for battle.
It’s not just sightseeing; it’s stepping into history.
Fully Personalized and Self-Paced
The best part? It’s all on your schedule. Want to linger at a spot for a while? Go for it. Need to move faster? No problem. The AI adapts to you. There’s no group to keep up with, no guide rushing you along, and no awkward pauses waiting for someone else to catch up.
Why I’m Excited
This idea excites me because it solves so many of the frustrations I’ve faced while traveling. It’s affordable, accessible, and incredibly immersive. I wouldn’t have to worry about hiring the “right” guide or feeling like I’m fumbling through a city on my own. Instead, I’d get a seamless, enriching experience that’s completely customized to me.
We’re not there yet, but I believe this future isn’t far off. The technology—augmented reality, AI, spatial audio—is already developing rapidly. In a few years, this kind of personalized tour could be the standard.
Until then, I’ll keep dreaming about how amazing it’s going to be to put on a pair of glasses and feel like the city is coming to life just for me. And when that day comes, I’ll be ready to experience the world in a way I’ve always dreamed of.