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Travel search engine Kayak will now allow users to research trips before booking using AI. The company this week introduced an “AI Mode” feature that allows users to ask travel-related questions as well as compare and book flights, hotels and cars through an AI chatbot integrated into the company’s website.
The feature is currently available across both the desktop and mobile web, and leverages Kayak’s integration with ChatGPT to deliver relevant results.
The rollout follows the company’s April launch Kayak.ai, Built as a testing ground for working with AI technology. That site combined Kayak’s data and tools with OpenAI’s technology, allowing its tech team to test AI features before bringing them to Kayak.com.
Basically, the AI Mode feature offers the same functionality as the Kayak.ai website, but now it’s built directly into Kayak’s website. The company suggests that users can ask the chatbot for travel ideas, such as locations to fly under a certain price point, best deals on preferred destinations, comparison of hotel amenities, nonstop flights, rental car options, and more.
In addition, users can ask the AI more open-ended questions, such as “I want to party for NYE — where should I go?” Get recommendations without a specific destination in mind. Or they can learn when the best time to fly somewhere is based on ticket prices. (Kayak shares other AI prompt ideas on its own blog).
The feature can be useful to help customers in the earlier stages of travel planning, when they are just exploring ideas. However, it remains to be seen if AI users easily convert paying customers using these methods.
AI Mode is initially available in English in the US, but will expand to other countries and languages later in the month. The company plans to roll out the feature to more platforms and add support for voice-based requests “soon.”
Travel is an area that AI providers and travel agencies alike are exploring, as online booking can be a frustrating and tedious experience for consumers as it stands today. To test consumer demand for AI solutions, OpenAI Recently announced deals with travel agencies Such as Expedia and Booking.com. (The latter is also owned by Kayak’s parent company, Booking Holdings) as a result, those services can now function as apps within ChatGPT.
By comparison, Kayak’s decision to run an AI chatbot on its own site could give the company more direct access to consumer insights about the use of AI.
