To get info about the intersection of AI, artwork and tourism, the Tennessee Department of Tourism contracted Talker Research to survey 2,000 American travelers. Some of their findings included:
• 70% rely on photos and videos when choosing a destination
• 74% wouldn’t book a trip without seeing photos first.
• 71% arrived at a destination only to find it looked different from the photos they used to plan their trip.
• Of those, nearly 4 in 5 suspect AI may have played a role.
• 41% of those outdoor and nature-based trips rely most heavily on photos when planning
• Seven in 10 said certification confirming a photo is real and unaltered would make them more likely to trust a destination.
So, how real is Yeah, It’s Real? Here’s how the tourism department breaks it down:
Won’t Use:
• Any AI-generated alteration that creates, adds or changes reality.
• Generative Fill: Using AI to add elements that were not there, such as adding a deer to a meadow or fall foliage to a summer photo.
• Structural Alterations: Moving mountains, removing permanent buildings or altering the geography of a state park.
• AI Style Transfer: Using filters that turn real photos into digital paintings, stylized renders or unrealistic pictures.
Will Use:
• Basic photo retouching that doesn’t change the truth of the scene.
• Color Correction & Contrast: Adjusting exposure, color or contrast to better match what the human eye saw.
• Global Adjustments: Sharpening, cropping or converting a photo to black and white.
• Basic Cleanup: Removing small distractions, such as sensor dust spots or a temporary piece of litter on the ground.
• Stylized Art: Using real photos to create design elements and illustrative pictures.
Information