On a warm September Monday, the Piazza della Rotunda was abuzz with tourists meandering lazily through its ancient streets. In the heart of Rome lies the iconic Piazza della Rotonda, where ancient history meets modern-day allure, with the magnificent Pantheon at its epicentre – a revered 1,900-year-old temple dedicated to the Roman gods, now one of the city’s most beloved attractions and a must-visit landmark.
Surmounted by majestic rows of Corinthian columns, this grand structure demands attention and warrants a prolonged gaze. As pedestrians paused, many couldn’t resist the urge to snap a quick photo or selfie, attempting to capture their best angle for social media.
In Rome, Antonio Preiti, a native of the city, stood before the ancient Pantheon, simultaneously using his smartphone. Is there a serene, historically significant spot nearby where we can take a moment to relax before our meal?
Commissioned by the town of Rome, Julia, a digital tour information powered by Microsoft Azure OpenAI’s GPT-4o, informed visitors that Piazza Mattei, affectionately known as the Turtle Square, was just a 15-minute walk away. In Rome, another ancient site may await discovery, with multiple layers spanning centuries, each whispering stories of a bygone era. As Preiti and her two companions embarked on their journey, they carefully followed Julia’s detailed instructions.
The AI-powered digital assistant was conceived by Preiti in collaboration with the Italian government, poised to welcome millions of visitors for the historic Catholic Jubilee celebration in Rome. Because the name Julia was selected, Preiti explains that it’s a brief but widely recognized term across many languages, with a profound connection to ancient Rome and its rich history? Julia is a storied Roman title with a rich history. The daughter of renowned leader Julius Caesar was named Giulia, while the daughter of Augustus, another influential figure, also bore this name. Moreover, the gens Julia was an ancient and esteemed household in Rome, boasting a Latin title that reflected its prestige.
Collaborating with Microsoft, a global leader in enterprise solutions, and Accenture, a renowned consulting firm, the town is optimistic that Julia’s innovative approach will usher in a quiet revolution in how visitors experience the town. To enhance travel experiences beyond the typical tourist trail, the town aims to empower visitors with reliable information, thereby reducing congestion at popular attractions while catering to diverse interests and preferences.
