SEARCH engine giant Baidu Inc. on Tuesday launched artificial intelligence (AI) guide tour program, the Baidu Wi-Fi Translator, for Chinese travelers in Barcelona, the second most populous municipality of Spain.

The AI guide, which has been newly added to the Baidu Wi-Fi Translator, gives tourists a rich audio-introduction of all architecture designed by Antonio Gaud, a great Spanish architect.

“With the help of the Barcelona tourism authority, we designed two routes for tourists, both of which connect a string of classic works by the great architect, Antonio Gaudi,” said Xu Ming, the program manager of the Baidu Wi-Fi Translator, at a press conference held in the Casa Mila in Barcelona.

Before the inclusion of the AI guide, the Baidu Wi-Fi Translator, which was first launched in late 2017, has had two basic functions for international travelers: pocket Wi-Fi and an auto-translator.

“What we are presenting in Barcelona today is an additional function, which can be considered an AI tour guide,” Xu said.

“Putting a mini tour guide in your pocked that can respond to your questions vocally is no longer science fiction for travelers,” he added.

The program can also provide services such as ticket booking and even weather forecasts.

“The world is seeing ever increasing numbers of Chinese tourists traveling abroad, and millions of Chinese tourists hope to overcome the language barrier and consequent lack of information in a faster and smarter way. We aim to give them a better traveling experience with the help of voice translation and AI audio guide, just as if a local person was helping out by giving directions,” said Xu.

Xavier Bas, deputy director of the Catalan La Pedrera Foundation, expressed the hope that the program would help attract more Chinese tourists to his city.

(Xinhua)