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.

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How Will the Travel Industry Use AI? — Digital Marketing News This Week

Today, the travel industry is mostly applying artificial intelligence (AI) to power chatbots and dynamic pricing tools. But a time-traveling cyborg tells us more innovation is coming.

Jeremy Kressmann | 8 years ago

Online Travel

TripAdvisor Debuts Facebook Messenger Chatbot for User-Generated Recommendations

If your company doesn't have an artificial intelligence-fueled chatbot, the odds are you will one day. Is your company going to sit out this trend like so many procrastinators, or resource-constrained companies, did when the first crop of mobile apps appeared? History does have a habit of repeating itself but it doesn't have to.

Dennis Schaal | 8 years ago

Business Travel

Artificial Intelligence Is Coming to Corporate Booking Tools

Corporate-booking technology vendors Serko and Concur plan to add natural language bots to their tools. Other players are likely to follow.

Sean O'Neill | 8 years ago

Media and PR

Facebook Says Instagram Advertising Looks Promising For Travel Brands in 2017

Facebook will be cracking down on how many ads it includes in newsfeeds, which could impact some brands' ad performance. Instagram, however, is a promising bet to make if brands are thinking longer term about ads, who they'll reach and how they'll be seen.

Dan Peltier | 8 years ago

Media and PR

Travel Megatrends 2017: Artificial Intelligence in Travel Is Finally Becoming a Reality

After years of hype, hospitality and travel companies are now delivering real added value for consumers by integrating artificial intelligence into online search and booking platforms.

Greg Oates | 8 years ago

Business Travel

Interview: CEO of CES 2017 on the Future of Connectivity

CES 2017 this month in Las Vegas marked the emergence of Artificial Intelligence-integrated connectivity and voice responsiveness into the mainstream, especially in terms of smart cars and smart homes. We will soon all be basically living and driving inside our mobile phones.

Greg Oates | 8 years ago

Online Travel

What Comes Next for U.S. Consumers, Travel Brands and Messaging in 2017?

The past year was one when consumers in the U.S. began communicating with major brands via messaging apps more intuitively, travel being no exception. But the time and money it takes to test and invest in this complicated technology is significant and 2017 will likely involve more testing and learning for brands before they fully understand what most travelers want when they open a messaging app and rattle off a question.

Dan Peltier | 8 years ago

Hotels

Wynn Las Vegas Bets Big on Amazon Echo and Voice-Activated Rooms

Will the Amazon Echo eventually become the new iHome docking station of the past? Will this technology be outdated in just a year or more? And more importantly: Is this what people really want from their hotel experience just yet?

Deanna Ting | 8 years ago

The Hotel Industry's Automated Future: A Framework for AI With a Human Touch

No more courting attention with shotgun-approach emails, ads and commercials. Marketers are shifting from a pattern of interruption to weaving offers and touchpoints into the guest’s life on and off…

Cendyn + Skift | 8 years ago

The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Travel Might Revolve Around a Driverless Minibus

IBM has come a long, long way in rebuilding its brand thanks to all of the cool factor surrounding Watson. But it could do more to showcase the consumer appeal around cognitive travel in 2017, including the benefits of machine learning to better connect us with travel destinations.

Greg Oates | 8 years ago