Kayak launches AI test lab
The launch of Kayak.ai signals the company’s push to personalize travel booking through conversational, real-time AI features
Kayak, the metasearch engine for travel, is ramping up its efforts in AI to maintain its relevance in the evolving travel industry. It recently launched Kayak.ai, a "test lab" for experimenting with AI-driven features to make the platform more personalized and conversational. Kayak.ai is designed to cater to AI enthusiasts and travel hackers, offering an advanced, real-time, conversational search engine distinct from Kayak’s standard interface.
Key takeaways
- Kayak.ai: A new experimental AI platform by Kayak, aiming to improve personalized, conversational travel search using real-time data.
- AI integration: Kayak has been incorporating AI into its services (e.g., Price Check and Ask Kayak), with plans to expand AI’s role through Kayak.ai.
- Real-time pricing: Kayak.ai’s search engine distinguishes itself by offering real-time pricing in its conversational search, unlike traditional cached data.
- Agentic AI: Kayak envisions integrating "agentic AI," similar to ChatGPT’s ability to book travel, and sees partnerships with major AI platforms like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT.
- Future of AI in travel: CEO Steve Hafner predicts that large AI engines may eventually replace many third-party travel sites, offering efficiency and monetization opportunities.
- User loyalty: Kayak is focused on direct consumer service while exploring AI-driven partnerships as a side initiative, acknowledging its potential to become a larger part of its business.
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