Author: Art Ryan

The AI first click healthcare competition is changing how people find medical information online. Companies like Amazon, Perplexity, and OpenAI are racing to become the first place users turn to. That first interaction matters because it decides which platform delivers answers, services, and recommendations. Whoever owns that moment gains a strong advantage in guiding user decisions. Instead of browsing multiple websites, people can now get quick, direct answers from AI tools. These systems gather and summarize information instantly. As a result, users rely less on traditional healthcare websites. Many are skipping original sources altogether as AI becomes the main entry…

Chinese online travel platform Fliggy – the travel division of Alibaba Group – can confirm that following a trial period its AI interface is now able to process bookings. This has been made possible through the use of parent company Alibaba’s consumer-facing application Qwen App, which is available to users in China and experienced over 200 million AI-native shopping orders during the recent Chinese Spring Festival campaign. As a result, during the Spring Festival period Fliggy’s overall AI orders increased by 800% – with attraction ticket bookings proving the most popular use case and orders soaring more than 24-fold. Meanwhile…

Lobby has raised USD 2.2 million in funding from Founderful. As part of the investment, Pascal Mathis, Co-Founder of the venture capital firm and of GetYourGuide with wide experience in scaling startups, will join Lobby’s Board of Directors. After successfully closing the investment round, Lobby will be able to expand beyond the hospitality sector with the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) vertical, experiences and attractions business, cruises and airlines as its main goals. “Lobby is tackling one of the most complex and valuable segments in travel: group bookings” – says Pascal Mathis, Co-Founder and Partner of Founderful. “What stood…

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in air cargo with three initiatives to improve operational efficiency, strengthen safety and compliance, and accelerate innovation across the global air cargo value chain: Making publications more efficient: IATA is launching an AI Subject Matter Expert (AI SME), a mobile and web-based application that helps operational teams quickly find information in IATA cargo and safety publications by asking questions in plain language. The tool provides accurate answers within seconds. This supports faster operational decision-making, strengthens compliance, and improves efficiency in time-critical environments. The AI SME will…

As AI becomes an everyday part of travel planning, one thing is increasingly clear: while the technology may be global, how travellers use it is anything but uniform. New data from TripGenie, Trip.com’s AI travel assistant, reveals that three years of real-world usage have surfaced new patterns in how travellers plan, decide and navigate their journeys. What began as a functional tool has evolved into a trusted end-to-end travel companion, and in doing so, has revealed how culture, geography and travel habits shape the role AI plays across the travel journey. Cultural Differences in AI Use AI usage shows that…

GuideGeek, the AI travel technology from Matador Network, has partnered with ExploreNB to launch Explora, an artificial intelligence–powered travel chatbot designed to help visitors plan trips to New Brunswick with ease and confidence. Piloted in early 2025 and now rolled out more broadly, Explora provides instant, conversational answers to travel and tourism questions about the province. Powered by GuideGeek’s award-winning AI platform, this tool has generated thousands of online conversations with prospective visitors. Explora delivers personalized travel tips and itinerary ideas, connecting travellers to local businesses, beaches, hiking trails, cultural sites and seasonal experiences across New Brunswick. Its real-time responses…

Access Hospitality, the hospitality technology division of The Access Group, today announced the appointment of Aravinda Gollapudi as Chief Technology Officer. She will lead the organization’s global technology vision with a focus on embedding agentic AI across its platform to deliver smarter, more connected operations for hospitality businesses. Aravinda joins from Sage, where as Head of Platform Business Unit and SVP of Technology she led a globally distributed organization spanning product, engineering and platform strategy. Her 28-year career includes leadership roles at Intuit, Ellie Mae and VeriSign, with deep expertise in SaaS architecture, AI driven transformation and large scale platform…

Indra, in partnership with Synaptic Aviation Inc., has deployed an advanced digital system based on artificial intelligence to monitor aircraft turnaround and apron operations prior to departure. The solution operates at three of Spain’s busiest airports: Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat and Palma de Mallorca, which, under Aena’s management, jointly transport over 150 million passengers each year and boast around 477 aircraft parking positions. The implementation of this integrated technology marks significant progress in the large-scale modernization and digitalization of ground operations at these airports. The solution analyzes real-time video streams from cameras installed near parking positions and…

As Independent Accommodation Day takes place today, 24 March, industry data suggests independent accommodation providers are increasingly turning to practical AI tools to improve efficiency and stay competitive in a more demanding market. The shift comes as PwC’s latest hotels forecast says the UK hotel sector enters 2026 with “a sense of resilience and renewed confidence,” supported by strong international demand, event-led travel and a steady recovery in domestic leisure. PwC forecasts 1.5% RevPAR growth and 1.2% occupancy growth across the UK regions in 2026. But, it also points to ongoing cost pressure, tighter margins and softer rate growth, increasing…

As the gateway to Silicon Valley, San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is bringing cutting-edge artificial intelligence directly into the passenger journey. Today, the Airport will debut an interactive AI-powered humanoid robot, named “José,” from local start-up, IntBot. Designed to greet travelers, answer questions and provide real-time information in 50+ languages — José will be stationed at Terminal B, Gate 24 (near Zoom Zone), to help turn one of the region’s busiest public spaces into a live testing ground for emerging technology. Developed by Silicon Valley-based startup IntBot, the platform represents a new generation of physical AI agents driven by…

Apaleo, the API-first property management platform for hospitality businesses, has launched Apaleo Copilot, a new agentic layer embedded in the platform that simplifies hotel operations. With a lightweight chat interface, staff can ask Apaleo Copilot to handle complex tasks, such as checking arrivals, extending stays, planning housekeeping, resolving overbookings, and assigning rooms, without having to switch between multiple systems or applications. Built on Apaleo’s open, API-first architecture, Apaleo Copilot takes a scalable approach to AI adoption in hospitality. Rather than introducing a separate tool or isolated assistant, it provides a shared agentic infrastructure that can be shaped to fit how…

The UAE has rolled out a new AI-powered platform aimed at strengthening talent development and supporting the growth of its national workforce. The initiative focuses on identifying skilled Emiratis and helping them connect with the right career opportunities. It is being led by the UAE Human Resources Development Council. By using artificial intelligence, the platform improves how talent is discovered, assessed, and nurtured across the country. How the AI-Powered Platform Matches Talent and Jobs At its core, the platform uses data to pair individuals with roles that suit their skills and experience. It looks at qualifications, work history, and capabilities…

Yango Tech launched industrial AI agents in the UAE to support the country’s digital workforce agenda. The solution focuses on automating enterprise and government operations. These industrial AI agents are designed to function as digital workers. They execute complete workflows with minimal human input. The launch aligns with national efforts to expand artificial intelligence adoption across sectors. Industrial AI Agents Enable End-to-End Automation The industrial AI agents handle tasks from initiation to completion. They reduce reliance on manual processes. The system integrates with existing enterprise infrastructure. It supports industries such as retail, logistics, and public services. The agents process data…

Microsoft is exploring how artificial intelligence can improve nuclear energy systems, from initial design all the way through daily operations and maintenance. The goal is to make these systems more efficient, safer, and easier to manage using data-driven tools—especially as global demand for reliable energy continues to grow. Technology Behind AI for Nuclear Energy Microsoft At the core of this approach are technologies like machine learning, advanced data analytics, and digital twins. Digital twins are virtual replicas of real-world systems, allowing engineers to test and simulate changes before applying them in real life. These tools help spot design issues early…

Gap has teamed up with Google to introduce a new way of shopping powered by AI. Using Google’s Gemini platform, customers can browse, choose, and buy clothing through a conversational assistant instead of navigating a traditional online store. This setup is part of what’s called agentic commerce. In simple terms, the AI takes care of multiple steps—like finding products, suggesting options, and completing the checkout—all in one place. Features of Gap Google Agentic Clothing Shopping One of the key features is personalized recommendations. The AI looks at what users type or even share as images to suggest clothing that matches…

Saudi Aramco has committed $372 million to build a new supercomputer, marking a significant step in upgrading its high-performance computing capabilities. The investment is part of the company’s broader push toward digital transformation across its energy operations. The new system is designed to handle complex simulations and process massive datasets. It will play a key role in improving how Aramco manages exploration and production activities. Technology Behind Saudi Aramco Supercomputer Contract 372M At the core of this project is advanced computing technology built to manage large volumes of geological and operational data. Supercomputers like this are essential for tasks such…

Ajman University has introduced a new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, with the program set to begin in Spring 2025. It’s designed to give students a solid foundation in AI while also building practical, real-world skills. The degree spans 123 credit hours over eight semesters, combining theory with hands-on learning to prepare students for the evolving AI landscape. Program Structure of Ajman University AI Bachelor Program Launch The program covers key areas like machine learning, data analysis, robotics, and intelligent systems. Students won’t just learn concepts—they’ll also apply them through practical training. A 16-week internship is built into the…

Google and American Airlines are working together on an AI-driven initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of aviation. The focus is on minimizing contrails—those cloud-like trails left behind by aircraft that can trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. The system uses AI to predict where contrails are most likely to form during a flight. It looks at atmospheric conditions like temperature and humidity, then identifies zones where contrails are more likely to appear. The idea is simple: adjust flight paths slightly to avoid those areas. Technology Behind Google American Airlines AI Contrails The Google American…

OpenAI is getting ready to introduce ads in ChatGPT, signaling a change in how the platform makes money. The company is expected to start testing ads in the coming weeks, adding another revenue stream alongside subscriptions and enterprise offerings. The initial rollout will focus on free users and lower-tier plans. Higher-tier subscribers are likely to continue using the platform without ads. These ads will appear inside the interface, usually below responses, and will be clearly labeled so users can easily tell them apart from regular content. Features of OpenAI ChatGPT Ads Rollout The OpenAI ChatGPT ads rollout will rely on…

Jeff Bezos is exploring a new approach to transform industrial companies using artificial intelligence. The plan involves raising a large investment fund to acquire and modernize manufacturing businesses. This effort is closely tied to Project Prometheus, an AI venture focused on applying advanced technology to real-world industries. The strategy includes raising up to $100 billion. The fund would be used to buy companies in sectors like aerospace, defense, and semiconductor manufacturing. The goal is to improve efficiency and automate operations using AI. Technology Behind Bezos AI Manufacturing Strategy At the center of this strategy is Project Prometheus, which focuses on…