Connect with us

AI in Travel

Airbnb charts AI-first path as it expands customer service agent

Published

on


This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback.

Dive Brief:

  • Airbnb is going to become an “AI-first application” over the next few years, co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky said on a Q2 2025 earnings call last week.
  • The company rolled out an AI customer service agent to half of customers in the U.S. in April with initial success. It expanded its AI customer service agent domestically during the quarter, reducing the percentage of guests who need to contact a human agent by 15%, Chesky said.
  • Airbnb’s AI ambitions don’t stop there, however. The company plans to bring AI into travel search next year. “I think you can’t do travel planning without AI going forward,” Chesky said.

Dive Insight:

Airbnb joins a series of tech-forward companies, from Duolingo to Pinterest, looking to become a leader in AI, as Chesky stressed the importance of getting out ahead of other travel companies with the technology. 

“Over the next couple of years, I think what you’re going to see is Airbnb becoming an AI-first application,” Chesky said. “And I think at Airbnb, we are going through that process right now of transitioning from a pre-generative AI app to an AI native app. We’re starting with customer service. We’re bringing [it] into travel planning. So it’s really setting the stage.”

Airbnb topped its expectations for the quarter. Revenue hit $3.1 billion, an increase of 13% year over year, and the company expects year-over-year growth of 8% to 10% for the third quarter, according to a letter to shareholders

An uptake in travel and executing on Airbnb’s core strategic priorities, including launching and scaling new offerings like its AI agent, contributed to the results, Chesky said. 

Many companies are focusing on the lower stakes of travel — inspiration and travel planning, Chesky said. But Airbnb began with what he calls the hardest problem, customer service. 

“Customer service is the hardest problem because the stakes are high, you need to answer this quickly and the risk of hallucination is very, very high, and you cannot have a high hallucination rate,” he said. “And when people are locked out, they want to cancel a reservation, they need help, you need to be accurate.”

Airbnb built a customer agent built on 13 models, based on data from tens of thousands of conversations, he said. Next year, the company plans on bringing the AI agent to more languages and making it more personalized and more agentic. 

“So what this means is that when you reach out to an agent, the AI agent, it will not only tell you how to cancel your reservation, it will know which reservation you want to cancel, it [will] cancel it for you, and it can be agentic as in it can start to search and help you plan and book your next trip,” he said. 

The company is also considering launching a loyalty membership program, Chesky said. The majority of bookings already come from repeat bookers. 

“That being said, I do think we’re sometimes at a competitive disadvantage vis-a-vis [online travel agencies] and hotels because they have a lot of programs we don’t,” Chesky said. “If we were to do something, I don’t think it would be a traditional points program. I think it would be something much more interesting and novel. But I absolutely think you should see something from us in the future, not imminently, but in the future.”



Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

AI in Travel

Ansett brand being relaunched to usher in an era of AI travel era

Published

on


You might trust AI to quietly do your job, but would you trust it with your holiday – and would using a service named after a twice-bankrupt Australian airline help seal the deal?

Melbourne-based digital marketing strategist Constantine Frantzeskos believes it should. The entrepreneur is reviving the Ansett Australia brand – formerly Australia’s second-largest airline – as an AI-powered online travel agent called Ansett.Travel.

Loading…



Source link

Continue Reading

AI in Travel

How the Galaxy AI Features on Galaxy Z Fold7 Redefine Wanderlust – Samsung Newsroom Malaysia

Published

on


Buckle up! You’re flying to Seoul, South Korea, to watch your favorite K-pop group’s first full-squad comeback. Concert tickets? Secured. Flights? Booked. Bags? Packed. But before you start snapping that first airport selfie, you’ve got some planning to lock down.

 

Unfold Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 — your ultimate travel companion with multimodal capability for smoother, and smarter travel.

 

As the thinnest and lightest Galaxy Z Fold series device yet, its pro-level cameras and AI features make it the ideal travel buddy. Translation: zero travel stress, max fandom vibes.

 

 

 

Before You Go: Unfold Your Travel Planner

You’re about to witness a once-in-a-lifetime reunion show, and it’s also your first time visiting Seoul. Relax. Galaxy Z Fold7 will handle the details.

 

Press and hold the side button to activate Gemini. Drop your concert date, hotel address and wish-list spots, then tell it:

 

“Recommend a 4-day, 3-night itinerary including a K-pop concert and save it to Samsung Notes.”

 

Gemini generates a custom itinerary, complete with must-visit fan cafés and your personal favorite’s trainee-era hangouts, fueling your ultimate K-pop pilgrimage.

 

“Should I pack this T-shirt or a hoodie?”

 

Don’t know what to pack? Let Gemini suggest for you. Activate camera sharing on Gemini Live to hold up your outfit options and just ask Gemini what works best to get real-time advice. It will consider Seoul’s weather and the kind of exploring you’ll be doing. No more overpacking so you’ll have more room in your luggage to bring home all that concert swag.

 

When the jet-set countdown starts, Now Brief has you covered. It shows your boarding pass details, Seoul’s current weather and real-time exchange rates front and center — so you can check what matters at a glance, before your trip.

 

 

Gate to Stage: AI Navigates Your Tour

You land at Incheon International Airport and the clock is ticking. So you ask:

 

“What’s the fastest and most affordable route to my hotel carrying two suitcases?”

 

In no time, Gemini displays side-by-side cards for airport express trains, buses and taxis, complete with fares, travel times and transfer counts all laid out.

 

 

Seoul Highlights, From Tradition to Modernity

 

After leaving your luggage at the hotel, day one kicks off at Bukchon Hanok Village, the perfect “Hello, Korea” setting for your vlog. Rest the Galaxy Z Fold7 on a ledge — Flex Mode lets you shoot easily, no tripod needed, while capturing the full Hanok backdrop.

 

But wait. Those unwanted photobombers in your pictures? Gone. Galaxy AI’s Photo Assist understands the whole scene, and Suggest Erases automatically detects and removes them with one tap. All done without post-editing hassle. Plus, with Side-by-Side Editing and Show Original, you can instantly compare the before-and-after images on the unfolded screen.

 

 

Next stop: K-beauty heaven. Aisles and aisles of products, but when you pick one up to read the label, it’s all in Korean. No worries. Camera sharing on Gemini Live can translate the ingredient labels listed in Korean, sprinkling in emojis for context to help you know what you’re buying. Still overwhelmed? Ask Gemini:

 

“Recommend one for sensitive skin.

 

Gemini cross-checks the ingredients and suggests a top 3 recommendation list tailored to you. You can check out like a skincare pro, not a confused tourist.

 

 

Main Stage Moment: Your Favorite Idol Up Close

 

It’s finally the big day. Your lightstick is charged, your phone is fully juiced and the stadium is crowded with fans. You might be stuck in the nosebleeds, but Galaxy Z Fold7’s 200MP camera captures your personal favorite up close with crystal-clear detail. Moreover, thanks to the 10 MP 100° front camera, you can squeeze all your new friends into one frame and still grab the boys on stage too. When the arena goes dark, Nightography kicks in, turning a sea of flickering lightsticks into sharp, balanced footage you’ll replay on a loop after the encore.

 

 

Final Encore: Edit and Elevate

 

Say goodbye, Seoul — hello airborne edit bay. Plane rides are perfect for some creativity. With Galaxy Z Fold7’s expansive screen, editing your travel vlog is easier than ever. Use the upgraded Audio Eraser to reduce the sound of the crowd’s background noise so your favorite member’s vocals shine.

 

 

Z Fold7: The Perfect Travel Companion

Galaxy Z Fold7 isn’t just another travel gadget — it’s the backstage pass, stylist, translator, map and editing tool that elevates your creativity to the next level. It’s no longer the smartphone era; welcome to the age of the AI sidekick. Skip the endless search bars and just talk. Unfold your phone, and half your trip is already handled. So go ahead, live your best wanderlust life. GalaxyZ Fold7’s got your back from takeoff to touchdown.

 

 

Unfold your Galaxy Z Series devices with these promotions and rebates today!

Until 31st August 2025, purchase the latest Galaxy Z Series devices to enjoy launch rebates and promotions worth up to RM2,209![1]

Model RAM + Memory Colour RRP Rebates & Promotions
Galaxy Z Fold7 12+256GB Silver Shadow RM 7,799 ·        Double storage upgrade worth RM600

 

·        Samsung Reservation+ Voucher worth RM210

 

·        Samsung Care+ worth up to RM999

 

·        CIMB Rebate worth RM400

 

·        Enhanced Trade-In worth RM500

Blue Shadow RM 7,799
Jetblack RM 7,799
Mint (Online Exclusive) RM 7,799
12+512GB Silver Shadow RM 8,399
Blue Shadow RM 8,399
Jetblack RM 8,399
Mint (Online Exclusive) RM 8,399
16GB + 1TB Blue Shadow RM9,899
Jetblack RM 9,899
Galaxy Z Flip7 12+256GB Blue Shadow RM 4,999
Coral Red RM 4,999
Jetblack RM 4,999
Mint (Online Exclusive) RM 4,999
12+512GB Blue Shadow RM 5,599
Coral Red RM 5,599
Jetblack RM 5,599
Mint (Online Exclusive) RM 5,599
Galaxy Z Flip7 FE (Online Exclusive) 8+128GB Black RM 3,999
White RM 3,999
8+256GB Black RM 4,299
White RM 4,299

 

Grab the all new Galaxy Watch Series with these rebates as well to expand your Galaxy ecosystem:

Model Connectivity Colour RRP Rebates
Galaxy Watch8 (44mm) Bluetooth Graphite RM1,399 ·  Fabric Band M/L worth RM159

 

OR

 

·  Fabric Band S/M worth RM159

·  Enhanced trade-in Rebate up to RM200

Silver RM1,399
Bluetooth + LTE Graphite RM1,699
Silver RM1,699
Galaxy Watch8 (40mm) Bluetooth Graphite RM1,299
Silver RM1,299
Bluetooth + LTE Graphite RM1,599
Silver RM1,599
Galaxy Watch8 Classic (46mm) Bluetooth Black RM1,799 ·  Sport Band M/L worth RM159

·  Enhanced trade-in Rebate up to RM200

White RM1,799
Bluetooth + LTE Black RM2,099
White RM2,099
Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) Bluetooth + LTE Titanium Blue RM3,399 ·  Trail Band worth RM399

·  Galaxy SmartTag2 worth RM149

·  15W Power Adapter without Cable worth RM59

·  10,000mAh Battery Pack worth Rm159

·  Enhanced Trade-in Rebate up to RM200

Titanium Gray RM3,399
Titanium Silver RM3,399
Titanium White RM3,399

 

To purchase Samsung’s latest devices, please visit the following sites:

 

 

 

 

[1] Terms and conditions apply.



Source link

Continue Reading

AI in Travel

Edo Govt Denies PDP’s N3.51bn Travel Claim as ‘AI Fabricatio

Published

on


The Edo State Government and the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee on Sunday clashed over an alleged N3.51bn incurred by the government on travel expenses.

The PDP said it was outraged by the revelation that the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration “squandered the huge amount on travel in just the first half of 2025.”

The government, however, dismissed the claim as “AI-generated,” noting that since his assumption of office, Okpebholo had not embarked on any frivolous voyage.

It maintained that every kobo spent on official engagements, both local and international, was “strategically aimed at forging partnerships, attracting investments, and securing opportunities that will yield long-term benefits for Edo people.”

A statement on Sunday by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, said, “The Peoples Democratic Party, Edo State chapter, is outraged by the disgraceful revelation that the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration squandered an alarming N3.51bn on travel in just the first half of 2025.

“This waste comes at a time when the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Capital Importation Report confirms that Edo State failed to attract a single kobo in foreign investment, while states like Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kano, and even Ekiti made the list.

“The contrast is both embarrassing and telling. Other states are opening their doors to capital, Edo’s leaders are opening their wallets for endless trips.

“This reckless expenditure is an insult to the good people of Edo State who continue to endure poor roads, inadequate healthcare facilities, decaying schools, delays in salary payments and epileptic power supply.”

Responding, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, in a statement, said, “The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to yet another baseless, ill-informed, and laughable press statement by the moribund Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, signed by its ever-noisy but chronically uninformed, self-imposed mouthpiece, Chris Osa Nehikhare.

“It is ironic, if not downright insulting, that the PDP, a party whose years of misrule, monumental corruption, and gross incompetence left Edo State in ruins, now attempts to lecture the people on governance, accountability, and prudent spending.

“The same PDP that had every opportunity to transform Edo but instead chose to plunder its resources, destroy public trust, and mortgage the future of our people now pretends to be the conscience of the state. Edo people are neither fooled nor interested.”

The government dismissed the claims as false, adding that the governor had been forging alliances since assuming office to develop the state.

“Senator Monday Okpebholo’s administration is a government of action, purpose, and vision. The AI-generated claims by the moribund PDP are false.

“Since he assumed office, Governor Okpebholo has not embarked on any frivolous voyage.

“Every kobo spent on official engagements: local or international, is strategically aimed at forging partnerships, attracting investments, and securing opportunities that will yield long-term benefits for Edo people.”

The governor’s aide carpeted Nehikhare, adding that he was the least qualified to talk about accountability, prudence or governance.

“As for Nehikhare, he is the least qualified person in Edo State to talk about accountability, prudence, or governance.

“His political resume reads like a manual on failure: years spent defending corruption, whitewashing incompetence, and parroting lies to keep his stomach full while Edo people suffered.

“The PDP’s talk of ‘crumbling infrastructure’ is the height of hypocrisy. It was under their watch that Edo’s schools rotted, our roads collapsed, hospitals became death traps, and investments fled in droves,” the statement added.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 AISTORIZ. For enquiries email at prompt@travelstoriz.com