#203 Humans Handle What Matters; AI Handles the Rest; with Dr Fares K. Alaboud, (PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Al Fares International Travel & Tourism)
In this episode of Most People Don’t… But YOU Do!, Bart sits down with Dr. Fares Khalid Alaboud, Regional Director of Al Fares International Travel & Tourism. With a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and 15 years of experience in innovation and product leadership, Dr. Fares bridges travel, technology, and business strategy. From gratitude stones to groundbreaking AI applications in hospitality, this conversation blends personal storytelling with future-facing lessons on service, risk-taking, and curiosity.💡 Major Takeaways / LearningsEntrepreneurial Roots: Inspired by his father’s businesses and global travels, Fares grew up understanding hard work, needs vs. wants, and the value of experiences.Pivot from Medicine to AI: A dramatic moment in his youth shifted him away from medicine and into technology—a path that led to his PhD in AI.AI Pioneering: He built early AI health applications, even influencing UK parliamentary discussions on AI regulation almost a decade before today’s surge in interest.Digital Transformation First: Organizations must establish strong digital foundations before AI can be effectively implemented.Overdelivery Through AI: Examples in hospitality show how AI can exceed expectations—like proactively flagging allergens across hotels to personalize guest safety and experience.Explainable AI: Transparency in how AI makes decisions will be critical for the future to avoid biases and build trust.Personal Wisdom: Treat AI with beautiful curiosity—the same way society approached electricity, the internet, and other game-changing technologies.💬 Memorable Quotes“If there’s no electricity, there’s no point in having light bulbs. The same is true for AI without digital transformation.”“What contribution does this task make? If none, let AI handle it.”“Personalization is the superpower of travel experiences—and AI can help deliver it at scale.”“Explainable AI is the next leap: we need to know why it makes the decisions it does.”“Approach AI with beautiful curiosity and a desire to learn.”✨ Why It Matters / How to Use ItThis episode reveals the intersection of technology and humanity: how AI can enhance, but never replace, gratitude, care, and human connection. Leaders and professionals can take away practical lessons on digital transformation, innovation, and customer service—while also being reminded to keep kindness, curiosity, and personal impact at the heart of their work.Resources and Links:Bart Berkey: MostPeopleDont.com | LinkedInThis podcast episode is brought to you by Wishes.Inc Wishes, Inc. is a transparent giving platform that lets donors see exactly where their money goes.It rewards users with cashback and perks through virtual payment tools.Fast, traceable, and efficient—Wishes makes doing good feel even better.https://www.bartaberkey.com/wishes-inc-landing-page