Google’s AI powers Priceline’s virtual travel agent. Want a New York hotel near a Christmas market, vegan restaurant, or other attraction?
The businesses informed Reuters that Priceline would use Google (GOOGL.O) AI this summer.
Martin Brodbeck, Priceline’s chief technology officer, said the online travel agency, part of Booking Holdings (BKNG.O), plans to launch a more advanced chatbot for trip planning and “a personal concierge” hotel recommendations.
“You can easily find out that in Bryant Park there’s a Christmas market that runs from early November all the way through the beginning of January when you’re actually booking your hotel,” he said.
Priceline can now use generative AI like ChatGPT, which drafts language like a person, thanks to Google Cloud. For accuracy, the programs extract hotel costs from existing data.
As the No.3 provider of cloud services like data storage, Google might use AI to bridge the gap with Amazon (AMZN.O) and Microsoft (MSFT.O).
Priceline may benefit from adopting new technology on its website to compete with other travel platforms, some of which are testing user reactions to AI.
Its competitor Expedia Group (EXPE.O) said ChatGPT would fuel smartphone app discussions. Rathi Murthy, its CTO, said it gives passengers “inspiration on places to go” and booking possibilities.
The standalone ChatGPT program integrates travel suggestions from Expedia and Kayak, another Booking Holdings site.
Google has traditionally competed with Priceline, but Brodbeck said its cloud capabilities prompted the agreement.
Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian noted that Google’s generative AI platform had attracted new companies.
“There is a kind of a Cambrian moment happening now where there’s an explosion of this technology,” Kurian told Reuters.
He wouldn’t say how free corporate previews affected Google Cloud’s revenue.
Brodbeck said Google’s AI would recommend coding for hundreds of software developers of Priceline. Priceline’s intranet search will use Google. Google’s AI will accelerate marketing for trendy places.
“You could have it create images like a beautiful beach, and you could marry that with great generative-AI copy,” Brodbeck added.
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