AI Knows the City Better Than Any Guidebook

Algorithms and social media enhance the allure of cities.

Recently, a friend recommended Shanghai Eyeglasses City to a Norwegian tourist. While browsing TikTok, he found Lucy's Store. He purchased multiple pairs of glasses from the store after walking nine kilometers.

Similarly, an American visitor had suffered from cataracts for years. He asked AI to recommend a reputable doctor before his business trip to Shanghai, and he had surgery in the city and recovered in two days.

Last year, the city saw a record 9.4 million inbound tourists. In the first quarter this year, the number was 1.5 million, a jump of a quarter year on year.

In addition to Yuyuan Garden and the Bund, more foreign tourists are using AI and social media to find local gems like Little Lamb Matcha on Huaihai Road, the Pudong wet market Jensen Huang visited in January, and popular Gubei Community hairdressers.

They would then post their experiences online, attracting more visitors.

In the past, foreign tourists needed tour guides or detailed plans to navigate the city.

Advances in AI mean that everyone can have their tours tailor-made, at short notice, as large AI models have lifted whatever barriers that prevent foreigners from traveling like astute locals.

Under the AI magnifier, every recess and the minutest detail of the city are presented in full view.

Some experts have referred to AI as a transformative force.

As Xu Qian, professor of marketing at Fudan University School of Management, pointed out, foreign tourists are no longer mere consumers but also urban experience ambassadors and content creators, who are ready to resonate, or grow together, in Shanghai.

Some of these gem locations might be strange to locals. For instance, RT-Mart on Pingxingguan Road has become a shopping mecca for many South Korean tourists.

"After the store went viral on South Korean social media, many Korean tourists seem to be following a scripted itinerary, taking photos at the same spot and buying the same souvenirs," said supermarket customer service manager Pan Chengxin. As their last stop, most South Korean tourists come with luggage.

The store also has Korean signs in the shopping section. Potato chips and nuts top a "List of snacks favored by Korean tourists" above the snack section.

Many Korean tourists lined up to taste pineapples and other fruits, and buying sliced fresh fruit has become a must.

Pan recalled that Korean tourists had increased dramatically since May and June, especially on weekend afternoons. The supermarket created Korean signs and voice broadcasts last year and hired Korean-speaking cashiers and shopping guides.

After gaining popularity among certain groups, the store is targeting global consumers with added services.

It offers instant tax refunds.

As of April 12, more than 1,100 tax refund transactions have been processed for customers from more than a dozen countries and regions, with 10 percent of consumers being foreigners.

To a certain extent, AI and social media help explicate the inner charm of Shanghai by projecting its vibes and verve. Global visitors are reappraising the city as more and more local gems come to light.