WestJet rolls out Canada’s first AI airline chatbot
WestJet has unveiled Canada’s first artificial-intelligence powered airline chatbot.
Named Juliet, it will be offered via Facebook Messenger enabling customers to check their flight status and flight information queries in English and French.
"Juliet is the first of many ways WestJet will be raising the bar using digital to improve the guest experience and make travel easier and more enjoyable," said the airline’s chief digital and innovation officer, Alfredo Tan.
Through machine learning it will develop more functionality, features and capabilities, the carrier said.
According to research firm Markets and Markets, the AI-powered aviation market is worth only about $152 million based on current investments, but that is slated to grow to about $2.22 billion by 2025.
Air Canada is also developing an AI chatbot, while US, European and Asian airlines have also rolled out or are currently developing their own, mostly via Facebook Messenger.
WestJet said it will roll out Juliet on other platforms over time and plans to add more features.
This includes voice interaction, the airline said.
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