From November 21 to 23 in Chania, the Humans & Algorithms conference is scheduled to take place.
Specifically, the conference, held for the second consecutive year in the emblematic venue of the Great Arsenal, is co-organized by the Center of Mediterranean Architecture, the Municipality of Chania, the company Design Ambassador, and Archisearch.gr. The event aims to highlight the delicate balance between technology and human experience in tourism and architecture, exploring how data and artificial intelligence can enhance destination management strategies without altering their identity.
The conference raises questions about the future traveler — whether they will seek futuristic utopias, curated paradises, or authentic communities that welcome them with genuine hospitality.
Greece, with its calming aura and unique cultural heritage, provides an ideal setting for exploring these questions. The event is part of the Design Democracy program by Design Ambassador, which connects architecture with politics, society, and the economy. Through dialogue and the exchange of ideas, participants will have the opportunity to explore emerging trends in hospitality, infrastructure, and communities born through architecture, aiming to shape modern tourism frameworks.
Conference structure and themes
The conference is structured into five sections, each highlighting a different aspect of the relationship between technology and human experience.
The “Smart Cities” section examines, through the example of Chania, the role of Destination Management and Marketing Organizations in promoting local characteristics and strengthening international visibility. It also presents the modern Geospatial Information Infrastructure, which leverages open-source technologies and IoT to improve urban systems.
The “Infrastructures” section focuses on the redevelopment of the Faliro Bay, a project that combines technology and environmental value, while emphasizing the importance of marinas, airports, and ports as defining elements of the travel experience.
The “AI & Architecture” section centers on the city of NEOM in Saudi Arabia, where artificial intelligence systems will manage urban life — from energy to transportation — raising questions about the degree of technological dominance in the design of future cities.
The “Trends” section presents new hospitality concepts emphasizing the “less is more” philosophy in mountain destinations, positioning agricultural production as the core of hospitality, and integrating gastronomy, wellness, and locality, as exemplified by Elounda Hills.
Finally, the “Communities” section explores how architecture and tourism can foster relationships and experiences that go beyond the obvious — through the development of communities, trust, and intangible cultural heritage — strengthening the collective identity of places.
Humans & Algorithms: A dialogue on architecture and tourism in Chania
Humans & Algorithms constitutes a crucial dialogue on the future of architecture and tourism, where technology is not merely a tool but a compass guiding the search for authenticity, identity, and sustainable development. Through the exchange of ideas and the presentation of successful practices, the conference seeks to define the foundations for the tourism of the future — keeping human experience at the core of progress.
