Technology
Free travel planner? Use AI for your next trip
I’m going to Europe soon, and planning my trip was a breeze. Yes, really! AI did a big chunk of the work for me — and it can help you plan your next getaway, too.
I’m giving away an iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence. No purchase necessary; enter now!
Here are a few ways to turn AI into your travel agent. There’s a whole industry of paid sites and apps popping up, but I haven’t found any that are useful enough to pay for. For this, let’s stick with using the big bots:
- ChatGPT: My preferred AI chatbot; gives the best results based on my testing.
- Gemini: Google’s chatbot is integrated into Google Flights and Google Hotels. I don’t think it’s as thorough as ChatGPT, and it often throws in weird opinions.
1. Describe your likes and wants
Your AI travel buddy can do so much more than suggest tourist traps — it can help you create a truly tailored adventure. Remember, the more info you put in about who you are and what you like, the more “you” the suggestions will be.
3 TECH MUSTS BEFORE YOUR NEXT TRIP
By interests
AI can curate a list of spots that match your hobbies or those of the group you’re traveling with:
- “Find me the best food tours in Paris that include wine tastings.”
- “What are some scenic hiking trails within 30 miles of Denver?”
- “Suggest must-see art galleries in NYC for modern art lovers.”
By weather
AI can suggest destinations based on your preferred climate at any time of year. So much easier than looking up weather charts!
- “Find me a warm destination in the U.S. for January with average temps above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.”
- “What are the best ski resorts in Wyoming for late December?”
- “Where can I play golf in May with mild, spring-like weather?”
AI can make travel suggestions based on weather, interest, occasion and more. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
By occasion or vibe
Not sure where you want to go? Let AI find the perfect match for your mood. If you’re not sure how to word the vibe you’re looking for, tell AI how you want to feel on your trip.
- “What are some romantic destinations in Italy?”
- “Suggest family-friendly vacation spots with amusement parks and beaches.”
- “Where can I go to feel relaxed and refreshed in March without spending a ton of money?”
The best part? AI doesn’t just offer generic lists; it crafts your dream trip based on what you love, need or just want to experience.
THE $40K SCAM THAT ALMOST GOT ME + 3 MORE SPREADING NOW
2. Simplify bookings and reservations
AI does more than just answer questions. It simplifies the whole planning process so you can focus on the fun part of travel.
Flights and transportation
AI can assist in finding the best flight times, routes and transportation options based on your budget and preferences.
- “What’s the most direct route from [origin] to [destination] with a layover under 2 hours?”
- “Find me affordable train options from [city] to [city] with scenic views.”
- “Which airlines offer the best in-flight perks for long haul flights?”
AI can assist you in finding flight times, routes, and transportation options that best suit your travel itinerary. (iStock)
Hotels and accommodations
Get specific with your accommodation needs, and AI will help you sort through the options. It can do the hard work of sorting through reviews, amenities and location for you. So sweet.
- “What’s a family-friendly hotel in [destination] with a pool and free breakfast?”
- “Suggest eco-friendly accommodations near hiking trails in [region].”
- “Find a cozy boutique hotel in [city] within walking distance of top-rated restaurants.”
CHARGING AND TRAVEL: 5 MALWARE MISTAKES MOST PEOPLE MAKE
3. Ask the right questions
This one hit the jackpot for me: “What are unique experiences in Berlin and Vienna during the first week of January?” The results? Festive Christmas markets, snowy countryside escapes and a hot springs spa. Not bad, right?
For every city on my trip, I got creative with prompts:
- “Help me plan a route between Paris and Vienna. My family loves unique experiences, scenic drives and amazing food.”
- “I’m visiting Berlin. What are the tourist things I shouldn’t miss?”
- “What’s a day-by-day itinerary for Paris that includes local food, hidden gems and cultural must-sees?”
Don’t stop at the basics! Dig deeper, and you’ll have your travel buddies asking, “How’d you know about this?”
- “What’s an underrated restaurant where locals eat in [destination]?”
- “Which festivals or seasonal events are happening in [destination] on [dates]?”
- “What’s the easiest way to save on tickets and/or skip the lines for [popular attraction]?”
With the right questions and prompts, you can use AI to plan your next trip down to the letter. (iStock)
4. Time to pack like a pro
We’ve all forgotten our phone chargers or overpacked like we’re moving abroad for a weekend trip.
- Pack perfectly: “What should I pack for a [length of trip] to [destination] in [month]?”
- Weatherproof your wardrobe: “What’s the weather typically like in [destination] in [month]?”
- Stay document-ready: “What documents do I need for [destination]?” This way, you’re prepared for customs if you’re leaving the country. (By the way, you can now renew your passport online.)
Share this with your favorite travel buddy and start planning for your next getaway. Bon voyage!
Get tech-smarter on your schedule
Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.
Copyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.
Technology
OpenAI keeps shuffling its executives in bid to win AI agent battle
OpenAI announced yet another reorganization Friday, consolidating certain areas and making company president Greg Brockman the official lead of all things product.
In a memo viewed by The Verge, Brockman wrote that since OpenAI’s product strategy for this year is to go all-in on AI agents, the company is combining its products to “invest in a single agentic platform and to merge ChatGPT and Codex into one unified agentic experience for all.”
To do this, the company is making a suite of org chart changes, although it’s still operating under some of the same ones from last month. That’s when AGI boss Fidji Simo went on medical leave and OpenAI announced that Brockman would be in charge of product strategy and CSO Jason Kwon, CFO Sarah Friar, and CRO Denise Dresser would take control of business operations.
It’s all part of OpenAI’s recent strategic shift to focus on key revenue drivers like coding and enterprise and stop pouring resources into “side quests” ahead of its potential IPO later this year and amid investor pressure to turn a profit.
In Simo’s continued absence, Brockman’s role leading product strategy is now official, as well as the company’s “scaling” arm. Under Brockman will be four different pillars. The first is core product and platform, led by Thibault Sottiaux, who has been OpenAI’s engineering lead for Codex, and the second is critical enterprise industries, led by ChatGPT head Nick Turley. Third is the consumer pillar, such as health, commerce, and personal finance, which will be led by Ashley Alexander, who has been its healthcare products VP. The fourth pillar — core infrastructure, ads, data science, and growth — will be led by Vijaye Raji, who has been OpenAI’s CTO of applications.
Brockman wrote in the memo that OpenAI’s goal is now to “bring agents to ChatGPT scale, in order to give individuals and organizations significantly more value and utility from our products.”
Technology
Is that traffic ticket text a scam or real?
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
You’re going about your day when your phone buzzes. A text hits your phone. It looks official. It sounds urgent. And suddenly, you are being told you owe money for a traffic violation. That is exactly what Todd from Texas experienced. He emailed us and said:
“I received this text message today. It was so baffling because I haven’t lived in California for nearly a decade. I didn’t click on anything or respond. How can I tell if this is for real or if this is a scam?”
If you’ve gotten a message like this, you are not alone. This type of scam is spreading fast, and it is designed to pressure you into acting before you think. Let’s break down what is really going on.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
FAKE AGENT PHONE SCAMS ARE SPREADING FAST ACROSS THE US
This message may look official, but several red flags show it is likely a scam designed to pressure you into paying quickly. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What the traffic ticket scam text looks like
At first, the message seems convincing. It claims to be a “final reminder” from the California DMV, and it warns of penalties like license suspension and added fees. It even includes a link that appears somewhat official. However, once you slow down and take a closer look, the red flags quickly start to pile up.
The biggest red flags in this message
Here are the key warning signs to watch for in messages like this.
9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU
1) The phone number makes no sense
The message comes from a number with a +63 country code. That is the Philippines, not California. Government agencies in the U.S. do not send official legal notices from international numbers. That alone is a major warning sign.
2) No name, just “Dear Driver”
Legitimate notices from a DMV or court almost always include your full name or at least some identifying information. “Dear Driver” is vague on purpose. It allows scammers to send the same message to thousands of people.
3) The link isn’t a real DMV website
The message includes this link:
ca.mnvtl.life/dmv
That isn’t a government domain. Official DMV websites in California use “.ca.gov” or similar trusted domains. Scammers often create lookalike links to trick you into clicking.
4) Urgency and threats
The message pushes you to act quickly with a deadline. It lists consequences like license suspension and extra charges. Scammers rely on fear. When you feel rushed, you are more likely to click without thinking.
FBI WARNS OF DANGEROUS NEW ‘SMISHING’ SCAM TARGETING YOUR PHONE
5) Asking you to reply to proceed
The text says to reply with “Y” to get instructions. That is another trap. Responding confirms your number is active, which can lead to more scam messages.
6) Generic language and odd phrasing
Parts of the message feel slightly off. The tone is formal but not quite right. That subtle awkwardness is common in scam messages sent to large groups of people.
7) Overloaded threats designed to scare you
The message piles on consequences like license suspension, added fees, court action and even credit damage. In this case, it even mentions a license suspension and a $160 late payment charge. That combination is meant to overwhelm you and push you to act fast. Real agencies usually provide clear, specific notices, not a long list of escalating threats in a single text.
INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU
Scam texts like this often arrive out of nowhere and try to create urgency before you have time to question them. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What this means for you
Even if you have never driven in California, you could still receive this message. Scammers cast a wide net and hope someone takes the bait. If you click the link, you could be taken to a fake payment page. That page may ask for your credit card details, personal information or login credentials. In some cases, it can also install malware on your device or redirect you to credential-stealing pages. This isn’t about a ticket. It is about getting your data. State DMVs typically do not send final legal notices or payment demands by text message.
Why these scams keep working
These messages work because they tap into something most people fear. Legal trouble, fines and losing driving privileges. They also look just real enough to pass a quick glance. That is all scammers need. As more services move online, these scams will continue to evolve.
Unlike typical DMV scams, this message impersonates a court and escalates the threats to make the situation feel more serious (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Ways to stay safe from traffic ticket text scams
Start with a simple rule. Never trust a payment request that shows up out of nowhere. Here are practical steps you can take:
1) Do not click the link
If you are unsure, do not tap anything in the message. That includes links and reply options.
2) Use strong antivirus software
If you accidentally click a link, strong antivirus software can help detect malware and protect your data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
3) Verify directly with the DMV
Go to your state’s official DMV website by typing it yourself into your browser. Do not use the link in the text.
4) Check the sender carefully
Look at the phone number. International numbers or random strings are a clear warning sign.
5) Ignore generic greetings
Real notices will usually include your name or case details. Vague language is a red flag.
6) Consider a data removal service
Scammers often get your number from data broker sites. Removing your personal info from those databases with a data removal service can reduce these messages. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
7) Block and report the number
On your phone, block the sender and report it as spam. This helps reduce future attempts.
8) Turn on spam filtering
Enable spam filtering on your phone or through your carrier to catch more of these messages before they reach you.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Todd did the right thing. He paused, questioned the message and did not click. That one decision likely saved him from handing over personal information. When it comes to messages like this, skepticism is your best defense. If something feels off, trust that instinct.
Should phone carriers and tech companies be doing more to block scams like this before you ever see them? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Honda’s hybrid future starts with new Accord and RDX prototypes
Honda revealed prototypes of two new hybrid models, an Accord sedan and the Acura RDX SUV, during its annual business briefing this week, built on a platform that it says will begin launching next year. The RDX was announced earlier this year as Honda’s first SUV to feature the next-gen version of its two-motor hybrid system.
In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.
-
Politics5 minutes agoSupreme Court turns away Virginia Democrats seeking to reinstate new voting map
-
Sports17 minutes agoSparks hold off late Toronto Tempo rally, earn first win of season
-
World29 minutes agoLebanon, Israel extend nominal truce; Iran ready for ‘serious’ US talks
-
News59 minutes agoSupreme Court is death knell for Virginia’s Democratic-friendly congressional maps
-
New York2 hours agoKataib Hezbollah Commander Accused of Planning Attacks on N.Y.C.
-
Los Angeles, Ca3 hours agoRip tides, high surf forecast for Los Angeles beaches this weekend
-
Detroit, MI3 hours agoWhat time is Pistons Game 7 vs Cavs? Date, tickets in Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoSan Francisco prepares for Bay to Breakers run