AI statement

Transparency

How we use AI

Element X uses artificial intelligence (AI) to answer you faster and to keep our work organised. The expeditions themselves, the preparation and every decision about you remain human work. On this page you can read where AI helps, where it does not, and what you can expect from us.

This statement was also written with the help of AI, and checked and approved by our team.

In short

Mr. X on WhatsApp is an AI assistant and always says so.
Decisions about participation, health and safety are always made by people.
We only record a conversation if you agree.
You can always ask to speak to a person.

Last updated 10 November 2026

Where we use AI

Mr. X, our AI assistant on WhatsApp

If you send a message to our WhatsApp number, Mr. X may reply. Mr. X is an AI assistant and introduces himself as one. He answers questions about our expeditions, dates, prices and the preparation, based on the information on this website and limited details from your file, such as your expedition and departure date. Mr. X runs on a language model from Anthropic, via Make.

If Mr. X cannot help you, or if you ask for a person, someone from our team takes over. Because we are sometimes off grid, that may take a little longer.

Conversation notes

We may record online conversations and some meetings with Fathom or Plaud. AI turns the recording into a transcript and a summary, so that we can give you our full attention and record agreements correctly. We always mention this at the start of the conversation. If you prefer not, we do not record.

Texts

We write part of the texts on this website, in our journal, newsletters and messages with the help of AI writing tools. The substance comes from us: the experience of our expedition leaders, the routes we scout ourselves and the facts about the terrain. We check everything and publish nothing we do not stand behind.

Images

The photos on this website are real photos of our expeditions and our preparation, and occasionally a stock photo of a landscape. When a photo has to fit a phone screen, we sometimes extend the edge of the image with an AI tool, for example with a little extra sky or snow. We never invent people, places or moments.

Behind the scenes

AI helps us organise information in our customer system, prepare emails and maintain this website. Emails to you are checked and sent by one of us.

What AI does not do

AI does not decide whether you join an expedition or whether you are selected as an expedition leader.
AI does not assess your health or physical readiness. We do that, together with you, during the preparation programme.
AI makes no safety decisions. In the field, the expedition leader decides.
AI does not set prices and makes no binding offers.

We make no decisions based solely on automated processing that have legal or similarly significant effects for you (article 22 GDPR).

AI can make mistakes

Mr. X works with the current information on this website, but an answer can still be incomplete or wrong. What counts is what is stated on the expedition page, in your quote and in our general terms and conditions. In doubt? Ask a person.

Your data

How we handle your personal data, including when AI is involved, is described in our privacy policy (chapter 11). In short:

Under the business terms of Anthropic, your messages to Mr. X are not used to train AI models.
We keep recordings and WhatsApp conversations with Mr. X for up to 12 months.
Please do not share medical information via WhatsApp, but via the medical form.

European rules

The European AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) requires that you know when you are dealing with an AI system, and that AI generated content does not pass itself off as real. This statement makes that concrete for Element X. We update it whenever we start using AI differently.

Questions

Questions about how we use AI, or would you rather not talk to Mr. X? Email info@elementx.travel or call +32 478 27 17 64. You will speak to a person.

How it works

From conversation to departure

Preparation starts three to six months before departure.

Introduction
An online or in person conversation: why you want to join, what you are looking for and whether you and the group are a good match.
After you sign up
You start on your own: you receive an inspiration booklet with tips and exercises and the packing list, and you share your medical information.
Kick off
Three to six months before departure, a full day at Kasteel Borgwal in Gavere with your group. Physical tests, the route and the risks, tasting expedition food, going through the packing list, a hike and an ice bath together. You go home with training advice.
Monthly training
Monthly group training sessions open to all participants, and a technical training for your destination, such as navigation, rope work or packrafting. In the WhatsApp group you follow each other’s progress.
Final check
Two weeks before departure we check whether your gear is complete and whether your fitness and strength are where they need to be. In short: are you ready?
The expedition
We fly together to destination X. There you get one last day in comfort and we check everything one final time. Then a jeep, boat or helicopter drops us in the wilderness. From then on you rely on yourself, your gear and your team.

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