'Mila': Company rolls out AI-powered travel robot

Technology focuses on 'tedious tasks', empowering travel agents to 'focus on complex, high-priority customer needs'

'Mila': Company rolls out AI-powered travel robot

Online travel agency FlightHub has released an AI-powered travel assistant designed to streamline customer interactions. The technology – named Mila – handles bookings, cancellations, and itinerary modifications in real time.

“The intention behind Mila’s creation was to leverage artificial intelligence to establish a collaborative approach to customer service,” said Henri Chelhot, CEO of FlightHub, citing the symbiotic relationship.

“She works alongside our team, removing tedious tasks and empowering agents to focus on complex, high-priority customer needs.”

Many business travellers are experiencing mental health troubles during their trips, according to a previous report.

A travel-assistant ‘robot’

To fully bring the AI to life, FlightHub commissioned Montreal-based S16 Gallery to help create a physical representation of Mila, which now stands in the company office.

"Mila’s physical presence in our office serves as a tangible reminder that AI can be both approachable and fun,” said Ayoub Hissar, director of PR and Marketing Strategy at FlightHub.

A high number of customer interactions are now handled entirely by Mila, according to the company.

Looking forward, FlightHub plans to continue refining Mila’s capabilities, with the goal of further enhancing customer service across the travel industry.

Walmart has robots working at its warehouses in Ontario and Alberta. There are also a growing number of restaurants that have been tapping the services of robots to automate some jobs.

A previous study led by Oracle and Future Workplace found that 82% of workers believe robots can do certain tasks more efficiently than their leaders.

How to reduce business travel stress

AI-powered travel tools are being deployed to handle logistics and reduce the stress of planning and managing trips, enabling employees to focus on their work, according to European taxi service provider Freenow.

Employers can also implement several strategies to reduce the stress associated with business travel for their employees. These include the following:

  • Flexible travel options: offering greater flexibility in travel schedules, allowing employees to choose convenient times and routes to reduce stress and fatigue 
  • Health-focused accommodation: incorporating wellness amenities, such as gyms, healthy dining options and relaxing environments
  • Mental health support: access to mental health professionals, wellness apps or mindfulness training as part of travel perks 
  • Bleisure opportunities: encouraging employees to blend business with leisure by extending trips or adding downtime to recharge is becoming standard practice
  • Minimizing burnout: limiting back-to-back trips, providing adequate rest periods between travel and discouraging ‘red-eye’ flights
  • Travel insurance and support: comprehensive insurance and 24/7 travel assistance ensure employees feel secure and supported, no matter where they go

Organizations across the world are planning to cut back on business travel costs despite strong demand from employees, according to a previous SAP Concur report.