The company is testing these features with a limited audience through its EG Labs program. Expedia uses data from various sources like AccuWeather and Yelp Network to customize the search and the bot, enabling it to update travelers on flight changes or weather changes. The company began experimenting with AI last year and is now working on integrating AI into its core feature set. Expedia also plans to launch a cross-date price comparison tool, an AI-powered help page, and guest review summaries as part of its spring update.
Key takeaways:
- Expedia is set to launch an AI assistant named Romie, trained on a mix of in-house and OpenAI models, to enhance features like search, itinerary building, trip planning, and real-time updates.
- Romie can be included in iMessage chat groups or interacted with one-on-one on WhatsApp, and can help users search for hotels, build itineraries, and make small changes.
- Expedia is also introducing a smart search feature on its site, allowing users to describe the type of hotels they want instead of selecting filters, and is testing these features with a limited audience through its EG Labs program.
- Expedia's CTO, Rathi Murthy, expressed confidence in the company's AI solution, stating its uniqueness lies in its ability to play multiple roles such as a travel agent, personal assistant, and concierge.