Travel buyers concerned about AI data privacy threats

Business Travel Show Europe has released new data around the use of artificial intelligence in the business travel sector.

A survey of corporate travel buyers shows that more than a third are concerned about data privacy threats from the use of AI in business travel, while a quarter are unconvinced by its ‘limited ability to handle complex situations’.

More than 40 per cent of respondents believe that the use of AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants has simplified travel planning and booking, and 16 per cent think point to cost savings from AI being able to find better deals on flights and hotels.

But 15 per cent of respondents are concerned that AI will ‘depersonalise business relationships’, and 8 per cent are worried AI will lead to ‘reduced need for face-to-face interaction’ (although at the same time 5 per cent of corporate travel buyers are excited by this prospect).

Finally 13 per cent of respondents are excited by the opportunities of improved duty of care, with buyers able to use AI to monitor travel alerts and keep track of employee locations in real time.

To read Business Traveller’s recent feature on how artificial intelligence is transforming the travel industry, see:

AI: Machine Revolution

Commenting on the news Louis Magliaro, BTN group executive vice president, said:

“AI – and particularly generative AI – is THE topic on everyone’s lips, almost irrespective of the industry they are in. For business travel, AI has the power to impact our industry positively and negatively.

“We’re already seeing – and have for some time through the use of chatbots – how it can enhance the personalisation of travel management.

“It also presents exciting opportunities for streamlining processes and increasing efficiency, but it’s crucial for organisations to address concerns around data privacy and ensure that AI complements rather than replaces human expertise when it comes to customer service, and human interaction when it comes to meetings and events.”

Business Travel Show Europe takes place between 19 and 20 June at London ExCel, and will includes a session entitled ‘Will Generative AI deliver personalisation and more for travel managers and their travellers?’

To register for the show (and get free access to TravelTech Show and The Meetings Show), visit businesstravelshoweurope.com.

This month Business Traveller published its first ever AI-generated opinion column – see what you think of the results.

Why business isn’t better

Travel buyers concerned about AI data privacy threats

Travel buyers concerned about AI data privacy threats

Travel buyers concerned about AI data privacy threats

Travel buyers concerned about AI data privacy threats

Travel buyers concerned about AI data privacy threats