Wouldn’t it be good if we could plug all of Goa’s tourism-related problems into a super-smart artificial intelligence (AI) system and get rid of traffic jams during the peak season? Even avoid overcrowding on beaches and get rid of the monumental garbage woes?
Considering AI to be akin to Aladdin’s genie to rid Goa tourism of all its woes sounds as magical as it is wishful. Let’s imagine for a second that AI could do all of these, but Goa's problems cannot be easily solved by hitting some codes into a predictive model.
The complexities of a place like Goa, with its delicate balance between natural beauty, cultural heritage and local sensibilities, need a better understanding. AI will definitely not be able to see the complexity that lies beneath the tourism allure and spout out simple solutions or some quick fix.
If AI could give us some quick-fix solutions, then let's plug in the problem of sub-letting of shacks on Goan beaches, and see if there's a solution. While AI might be able to identify the problem, it will struggle to understand the emotions behind it— for instance the human factor that fuels the sub-letting.
AI will definitely not be able to see the complexity that lies beneath the tourism allure and spout out simple solutions or some quick fix.
The only real intelligence that will work to bring us out of this tourism morass is HI (human intelligence), which refuses to work and depends more on AI. The sad irony is that human intelligence or our ability to think critically has gone missing.
To address the problem of sub-letting effectively, the Goa shack policy will have to be made more robust. The policy will have to clearly define the boundaries of shack rentals and the responsibilities of shack owners.
However, strengthening an existing policy will require a deep understanding of the issue from the root. Human intelligence will have to drive the process of addressing the problem while the shacks are up and running in this season itself.
The sub-letting of shacks needs to be addressed immediately because it has become a social issue and is attracting bad publicity. The death of a Goan youth on Arambol Beach, after a fracas with the non-Goan employees of a shack, shows the disconnect between the Goan way of life and the booming tourism industry.
The sub-letting of shacks needs to be addressed immediately because it has become a social issue and is attracting bad publicity.
Tourism in Goa attains its peak during the winter months, especially around Christmas and New Year. As the winter months fizzle out, the off-season makes businesses vulnerable. This could be one of the reasons shack owners resort to sub-letting their spaces to make their businesses financially viable.
To begin with, those tasked with resolving the issue must approach it with empathy, seeking to understand whether this illegal practice is driven by malice, exploitation or a desperate greed for money.
It’s a good thing that our human intelligence has woken up and is willing to do what it takes to stem the tourism rot. It’s about time and hope it is for real. For all these years, we've helplessly watched the exploitation of our beaches, culture and resources.
And while the exploitation continued, we have seen half-hearted solutions that made no difference. So, at least this time, we hope Goa’s human intelligence is telling the truth about a change on the horizon. Hope these promises are not lies.
It’s a good thing that our human intelligence has woken up and is willing to do what it takes to stem the tourism rot. It’s about time and hope it is for real.
All these years, we have seen Goa as a fit case study on missed opportunities. The State has introduced a number of short-lived initiatives like a ban on plastic and beach clean-ups that have been rather cosmetic, without any tangible long-term change or gain.
Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that feeding our problems into technological inventions like AI will be the panacea for our ever-growing tourism woes. Let’s get ready to walk the tough road and rely only on the power of human intelligence.