Julia, the Artificial Intelligence for Tourism and Life in Rome
Interview by Antonio Palmieri with Antonio Preiti on EconomyUp.
Julia’s project
The Virtual Assistant of Rome. The project and its current status.
Meet Julia The AI Assistant Transforming Travel in Rome
Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, talks about Julia, the innovative virtual assistant of the Capital.
The Mayor of Rome, Gualtieri, Presents Julia
On Thursday, November 14 at 5:00 PM, in the Sinopoli Hall of the Auditorium, Mayor Roberto Gualtieri presented the 'Third Report to the City', to talk about the work done this year and the challenges awaiting our city. Among the topics, the Mayor officially introduced Julia, the virtual assistant created to improve the tourist experience in the capital.
Julia is the official virtual assistant of Rome, created to enhance the tourist experience in the Capital. Developed by the Rome Attraction Foundation & Partners, Julia is an innovative digital platform that uses artificial intelligence to provide quick and personalized responses to the needs of visitors.
It doesn’t require app downloads or registrations: just send a message via WhatsApp or other messaging platforms, or through the dedicated website to access all the necessary information.
One of the main reasons behind the creation of Julia is the current fragmentation and complexity of the information available to visitors in Rome. Tourists often find scattered details on generic websites or rely on major global platforms, which tend to prioritize sponsored content and clickbait over truly useful information. This system not only reduces the quality of the information provided but also negatively impacts Rome’s image. Visitors often struggle to find reliable recommendations and risk receiving inaccurate or outdated details, ultimately diminishing the quality of their travel experience.
Julia was created to counter these issues by offering a solution based exclusively on direct and verified sources, providing useful, trustworthy, and personalized responses.
Julia collects and organizes information directly from Rome’s service providers, including museums, hotels, restaurants, theaters, and other businesses, continuously updating the data to ensure accurate and timely answers. This approach guarantees a higher quality of information compared to simple internet searches, which are not always reliable.
Among the many types of information that Julia can provide are:
- Current events – including cultural events, performances, exhibitions, and festivals.
- Personalized itineraries – based on the user’s schedule and preferences, Julia can suggest tailored routes that combine major attractions with alternative paths.
- Mobility and transportation – Julia provides real-time updates on public transport, traffic conditions, and sustainable mobility options to facilitate city travel.
- Dining and accommodation services – thanks to direct connections with local restaurants and hotels, Julia suggests food and lodging options suited to the user’s tastes and needs.
Unlike traditional travel guides or online searches, Julia does not simply offer a generic list of responses but engages in an actual conversation with the user. Designed to understand individual preferences and needs, it can propose customized itineraries and routes. Julia enables anyone, regardless of location, to receive instant responses in a simple, barrier-free manner. Its artificial intelligence interprets visitor requests and provides solutions that reflect their preferences, making access to information intuitive and effortless. It is designed to create a personalized travel experience for each traveler, understanding their preferences and anticipating their needs through sophisticated AI algorithms. Julia also enhances exploration by highlighting lesser-known attractions.
For local service providers, Julia offers a set of targeted benefits aimed at boosting their businesses. As an innovative and advantageous platform that directly connects with visitors, it facilitates direct communication between tourists and operators, bypassing global intermediaries. Through the platform, tourists can contact operators directly via calls, emails, or messages. This not only simplifies communication and access to services but also fosters a more direct and engaging interaction, enriching the overall tourism experience. Moreover, operators can update their information in real time, ensuring visitors always receive up-to-date and accurate details about events, special offers, menus, or additional services.
Finally, Julia promotes sustainable tourism by suggesting alternative routes and less crowded locations, contributing to a more balanced tourism flow. This approach helps highlight businesses in lesser-known areas, giving them the opportunity to reach travelers interested in authentic, local experiences. Julia represents a unique opportunity for Roman service providers, allowing them to become part of a network that values authenticity, quality, and local expertise. By joining Julia’s database, operators actively participate in a platform designed to optimize tourism management, enhance visitor satisfaction, and strengthen Rome’s reputation as a top-tier, sustainable destination.
Thanks to Julia, Rome can offer tourists a more personalized and innovative welcome, while local operators can promote their services more effectively and efficiently.
Julia represents a significant step forward in the digitalization of tourism in Rome, supporting a more conscious and sustainable way of experiencing the city. Beyond enhancing the tourist experience, Julia can also serve as a valuable tool for Roman residents, providing up-to-date information on events, transportation, and local services. It helps residents discover new activities and stay informed about city developments, strengthening the connection between the city and those who live in it every day.
