AI in Travel

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the dominant topic of the future in travel, and we’re keeping a close eye on it at Skift.

Breakthrough generative AI technology was released publicly by OpenAI last November, and a number of big-name travel companies have already responded. Expedia, Kayak, and more — including multiple startups — have started releasing experimental technologies that could lead to transformations in the way users discover, plan, and book travel.

Skift's own Ask Skift AI deep search tool gives readers extensive insight into the business of travel by training artificial intelligence on the complete archives of Skift, Skift Research, Airline Weekly, Skift Meetings, Daily Lodging Report, and Skift Live events.

Online Travel

Trivago Makes a Tech Acquisition That Bolsters an Industry Trend

While this deal is small, it signals that the Expedia-backed hotel-search company wants to better identify the desires of its customers and become more sophisticated at proposing tailor-made offers that are relevant.

Sean O'Neill | 7 years ago

Online Travel

Priceline Group CEO Sees No Big Investments in Blockchain for Now

A CEO such as the Priceline Group's Fogel has to pick which new technology to panic about next. He's keeping tabs on blockchain, but it's not on his investment to-do list yet.

Daniel Peltier | 7 years ago

Online Travel

Interview: Expedia CEO Sees an Opening With Chatbots to Loosen Google's Grip on Travel

The online travel environment is transitioning at a hectic pace when you consider mobile and artificial intelligence. Expedia's new CEO, Mark Okerstrom, will have to find a way to chart his company's evolution at an appropriate speed to keep up. It won't always be smooth sailing.

Dennis Schaal | 7 years ago

Online Travel

From Novelty to Game Changer: AI and the Future of Work in the Travel Industry

Smart technology is playing an increasingly important role in our lives. At home, we playfully bark orders and pose hypothetical questions to virtual assistants such as Siri and see them getting smarter over time. The reality is that interconnected, cognitive technology is on the brink from moving from novelty to essential on the home front. For business, it’s a game changer.

IBM + Skift | 7 years ago

Artificial Intelligence Is Becoming a Priority for Airline IT Chiefs

Airline chiefs are more likely to moan than talk optimistically about leaps in artificial intelligence. But a new SITA survey suggests they're realizing that it can be the bedrock of their futures.

Sean O'Neill | 7 years ago

Business Travel

Behind the Rise of Chatbots in Meetings and Events

Chatbots offer the first glimpse into a future where meeting and event planners can deliver mass personalization at scale using artificial intelligence.

Greg Oates | 7 years ago

Business Travel

Artificial Intelligence's Unrecognized Potential for Luxury Travel Brands

It’s clear that there are ways in which luxury brands can differentiate their customer experience using artificial intelligence, but it will require a sophistication that is still unseen in the travel industry.

Samantha Shankman | 7 years ago

Online Travel

How Faster Search and Automation Can Help Power Performance for Travel Brands

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more sophisticated API-connected platforms are powering better speed, relevance, and accuracy of search and automating services across all touchpoints of the traveler journey—allowing travel providers and resellers to connect with customers more efficiently.

Travelport + Skift | 8 years ago

Airlines Put Facebook Messenger Chatbots to Work Answering Easy Questions

Bots have come a long way since Alaska Airlines introduced 'Ask Jenn' about a decade ago. But they're still not perfect. At least for now, we'd rather have a human touch.

Brian Sumers | 8 years ago

Online Travel

Microsoft Bets on Artificial Intelligence to Help It Succeed Again in Travel

Microsoft thinks that voice-powered internet gives it a shot — via voice assistant Cortana — at upending today's travel search funnel, which is dominated by Google's search results. The theory's plausible, but Microsoft needs to move faster to win.

Sean O'Neill | 8 years ago