The news: OpenAI and Virgin Australia are collaborating on the development of integrated travel planning and shopping tools using OpenAI’s API platform while granting staff access to ChatGPT Enterprise.
Wesfarmers also announced a deal to deploy ChatGPT Enterprise across the group alongside customised training programs.
The context: Virgin Australia said it is looking to develop “ways to improve the way Australians plan and shop for travel. Initial work includes improved personalisation, enhanced customer experience and exploring what a Virgin Australia app could look like in ChatGPT”.
Virgin has already launched an AI trip planning tool that helps guests build personalised trips, discover destinations and navigate fare or velocity reward seat availability. It is also using AI to help forecast demand and “deliver market-driven dynamic airfare pricing”.
Wesfarmers is similarly using OpenAI to improve staff productivity as well as customer experience both online and in stores.
What they said: “We are excited to be the first Australian airline to collaborate with OpenAI as we accelerate new customer experiences and capabilities for our team members,” Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson said.
“By being present where our customers already are, such as ChatGPT, we’re making it easier and more convenient to connect with Virgin Australia.”
Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott said: “We continue to increase the use of AI across the Group, in areas such as demand forecasting, product design, customer service and experience, marketing effectiveness and conversational commerce.”
