August has always been my quieter month work-wise and I've always been grateful for it. When my children were younger, it suited the school year perfectly. Now that they’re older and busy with their own summer fun and summer jobs (thanks to tourism for those!), I find it gives great space for just myself - definitely the ultimate luxury in a busy life!
So this newsletter is shorter than usual - reflecting the downtime of August before gearing up again in the Autumn.
Like many people, this Autumn will see me turn some serious attention to the role of Artificial Intelligence in my work. Just this morning, I've been listening to some fascinating conversations about ‘hybrid intelligence’ and ‘co-intelligence’, the rather helpful idea that the future isn't about humans versus AI, but humans with AI.
Have you ever heard a phrase and wish you'd thought of it yourself?
Those are two I wish I had thought of! They sound wonderfully modern and cutting-edge – the kind of terminology that easily finds its way into strategies, conference programmes and funding calls.
They’re all that for sure. Yet, they also feel as ancient as time itself. And I wish I'd thought of them in relation to the narrative around regenerative tourism.
Nature has always worked this way. Nature is the ultimate expression of co-intelligence - nothing thrives alone, everything exists in relationship, billions of years of adaptive wisdom embodied in every connected living thing, human and non-human.
It made me wonder whether AI might, quite unexpectedly, spawn a new language for some of the ideas regenerative thinking has been exploring for a long time.
So, as I prepare to learn to work co-intelligently with AI (laggard that I am), I'm also strongly feeling the need to double down on being co-intelligent with NI (Natural Intelligence). We are fortunate to work in tourism, all about in connecting with real people in real places in real time. Whatever new technologies emerge, I feel certain that those things can only become more and more valuable.
Before I sign off this month, I have a favour to ask. If you have a couple of minutes to spare, I'd be hugely grateful if you could complete our short subscriber survey. It would help me understand what's proving most valuable and where I should focus my energy over the coming months.
Thank you, as always, for reading.
Beir bua
Help Shape Public Sector Tourism Monthly
If you have just two minutes to spare, we'd be really grateful to get your thoughts on this newsletter. I really appreciate you reading and accepting this mail into your inbox - and I'd like to make sure it's as useful to you as it can possibly be.
Thank you in advance.
Hosting an Important Conversation this Autumn?
Quality-Assured and Accredited Learning Opportunities for your Destination
Thought for August
August gifted me a few days exploring South Kerry and the Skellig Coast by campervan, with plenty of walking and time outdoors. Ocean, mountains and lush vegetation everywhere you could look. Nothing to do but sit still and enjoy it.
Responses