How Seoul Can Showcase Its Charms in the AI Era

The article argues that AI's current recommendations for Seoul tourism are limited because they focus on widely known attractions like Gyeongbokgung Palace. This approach means travelers miss out on unique cultural experiences, such as the historic Dilkusha house or Baek In-je House, which offer deeper insights into the city's past and culture.

To overcome this, the researcher suggests that Seoul needs to develop "cultural prompts" – specific, multi-language questions designed to guide AI users toward niche interests. These prompts could lead travelers to sites related to Korean painters, 20th-century life, or neighborhood markets, moving beyond standard tourist itineraries.

A key challenge identified is AI's limited access to information. Many cultural institutions may not have websites optimized for chatbot access, and valuable data within images or attached files remains unsearchable. The Seoul History Archive, for instance, has made more than 26,000 items public, but simply publishing material does not ensure AI can effectively learn from it or recommend it to users without proper linking of places, people, and dates.