Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology is set to power Priceline’s virtual travel agent, according to a recent report by Reuters. The online travel agency plans to introduce a sophisticated chatbot capable of generating hotel suggestions, planning trips and providing a personalized service to its users. The AI technology would give Priceline access to generative AI, including the same technology behind Microsoft-backed ChatGPT, for drafting and generating content.
Priceline’s Chief Technology Officer, Martin Brodbeck, said that the new AI solutions from Google’s cloud division would also improve the accuracy of hotel pricing information and generate coding suggestions for developers at Priceline. Google’s search capabilities for employee intranets will also be utilized, and the AI technology is expected to speed up marketing for trending destinations.
The collaboration could give Priceline an edge over competing websites, including Google’s own travel options. However, the partnership is not a result of competition, but rather an opportunity for Google to generate business via AI technology, potentially closing the gap with rivals Amazon and Microsoft in cloud services such as data storage.
The collaboration could be in effect as early as this summer.
