Expedia starts testing AI-powered features for search and travel planning

Core Insights - Expedia is launching an AI assistant named Romie to enhance travel features such as search, itinerary building, and real-time updates like flight delays [1] - The company is also introducing smart search capabilities that allow users to describe hotel preferences in natural language [2] - Expedia is integrating data from various sources to provide tailored travel updates and suggestions [3] Group 1: AI Integration - Romie, the AI assistant, is trained on a mix of in-house and OpenAI models and can assist users via iMessage and WhatsApp [1] - The assistant can summarize itineraries, suggest restaurants, and link directly to the Expedia app [1] - Expedia has been experimenting with AI since last year, indicating a strategic shift towards integrating AI into its core offerings [3] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Booking.com and Airbnb are also developing AI-powered features, indicating a trend in the travel industry towards AI integration [3] - Startups are leveraging AI to create innovative travel solutions, such as Mindtrip's AI travel agent and Layla's end-to-end travel recommendation app [4] - Rathi Murthy, CTO of Expedia Group, expressed confidence that Expedia's multi-functional AI solution will differentiate it from competitors [4] Group 3: Upcoming Features - Expedia plans to launch a cross-date price comparison tool, an AI-powered help page, and guest review summaries in its upcoming spring update [5] - The company is currently testing new features with a limited audience through its EG Labs program [2] - The AI assistant Romie is expected to evolve further, with plans to enhance its functionality in group chats on WhatsApp [5]