Read the latest news about technology around the hotel industry.

Officials with the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Hospitality Technology Next Generation have announced they’ve signed an agreement for HTNG to become part of AHLA but maintain its focus on improving technology across the hotel industry, according to a news release. The deal will keep the HTNG branding and staff in place.

“While HTNG has been at the forefront of technology’s growth in the hospitality industry throughout the years, combining forces with AHLA will truly serve as a positive stride in the natural evolution of our organization,” Michael Blake, CEO of HTNG, said in the release announcing the agreement, which is slated to close by the end of April. “This shift will allow us to leverage AHLA’s membership and advocacy platforms, and I couldn’t think of better individuals to advance our mission with.”

The New York Times takes a look at how President Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan would set aside $100 billion to bridge the “digital divide” in the U.S. and provide greater access to high-speed internet, particularly in rural areas.

“The money is meant to improve the economy by enabling all Americans to work, get medical care and take classes from wherever they live,” the newspaper reports. “Although the government has spent billions on the digital divide in the past, the efforts have failed to close it partly because people in different areas have different problems. Affordability is the main culprit in urban and suburban areas. In many rural areas, internet service isn’t available at all because of the high costs of installation.”

Stanford Digital Economy Lab claims that businesses on all levels have made greater investments in artificial intelligence during the pandemic but it could take decades to see the full effects of those investments, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Erik Brynjolfsson, director of lab, said it will take companies some time to learn how to get the most benefit out of AI.

“We’re having a few superstars doing really well,” he said. “But the whole reason it takes so long in the first place is that it’s not easy.”

HNN Contributor Laura Koss-Feder reports that changes in how hotels handle technology have been one of the keys changes for guest experience over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She writes there has been a greater focus on digital check-in and check-out, along with giving guests greater ability to control their stay through personal devices.

"Without having to worry about stopping at the front desk, guests can see their assigned room as well as make changes or receive notifications on upgrades," Amy Weinberg, senior vice president, loyalty, brand marketing and consumer insights for Hyatt Hotels Corp., said.

Compiled by Sean McCracken.