By: Paljor Lama, Managing Consultant, Engage
With AI’s rapid integration into the corporate travel industry, risk mitigation depends not just on technology, but on the people behind it.
In a world where Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises speed, efficiency, and smarter decision-making, the business travel industry is embracing its potential. But with great power comes great responsibility. As we move deeper into the AI era, the conversation must shift from “What can AI do?” to “What can I do to make AI relevant and responsible?” That’s where our philosophy—Powered by data. Driven by people—comes into focus.
The promise and the pitfalls of generative AI
Generative AI tools can synthesize data, predict trends, and even personalize content at scale. That said, AI isn’t perfect. One of the most concerning risks? Hallucinations—AI-generated content that sounds convincing but is factually incorrect. AI must be deployed with oversight by subject matter experts. In other words, AI is not a set-it-and-forget-it tool—it’s a co-pilot, not the captain.
Why human oversight is non-negotiable
Software companies may be racing to automate everything, but automation without context is dangerous. In the corporate travel space, we know that data—no matter how advanced—is only useful when interpreted with real-world experience:
- A fare anomaly isn’t always a savings opportunity.
- A travel policy violation might be a necessary exception.
- An AI-generated itinerary could overlook visa requirements, duty of care, or brand preferences.
- An AI-generated travel plan may also misread cultural context, creating friction in traveler experience or miss essential local nuances.
That’s why travel consultants need to be embedded in the process, validating recommendations, applying context, and catching the nuances AI alone might miss.
The role of creativity & innovation
AI may improve routine workflows, but it cannot drive innovation alone. Progress demands more than just doing the same things better. Business travel programs that evolve require creativity, foresight, and a willingness to rethink processes from the ground up. That vision must come from people- not algorithms.
Data privacy & security: more than a checkbox
Risk isn’t just about wrong answers—it’s also about how data is handled. With AI models being trained on vast datasets, data privacy and security must be at the core of any AI strategy. If you are a travel manager assessing AI tools, consider asking your suppliers these questions:
- Are they using only authorized models within a controlled ecosystem?
- Do they advocate for clear ethical guidelines, ensuring no personally identifiable information (PII) is processed by AI without safeguards?
- Do they allow customers to opt in/out of AI-driven initiatives or features?
- Have you assessed AI readiness for each user group, ensuring governance is in place?
It’s important to take data seriously because trust is non-negotiable. At Advito we lead with strict data governance policies and procedures—specifically, who has access to your data, or in the case of AI, what has access to your data and how you are protected. We are also backed by our parent company, BCD Travel, which makes significant investments in data security and compliance and is underpinned by a robust AI policy to ensure clear guidelines for the responsible design, deployment, and management of AI across our entire organization.
Our role as travel and AI experts
As subject matter experts in corporate travel, we don’t just plug in tools and hope for the best. We:
- Evaluate AI use cases for real business impact. For example, our Total Trip Insights dashboard uses AI to predict future behavior across many travel program KPIs.
- Monitor outputs for accuracy and alignment with travel program goals.
- Provide change management and education to help clients and travelers understand and trust AI-enhanced tools.
When used responsibly and paired with human expertise, AI can be a powerful tool to reduce friction, uncover new insights, and enhance traveler satisfaction.
Powered by Data, Driven by People
AI is powerful. But without people, it’s just code. The key is to ensure that every insight, every recommendation, and every traveler touchpoint is enhanced by AI, not defined by it. Because in corporate travel, context is everything. And that’s something only people can provide.
To successfully integrate AI into your organization, it’s essential to adopt a strategic approach that emphasizes human elements and behavior. At Advito, we specialize in creating impactful, data-driven strategies that inspire employee engagement and encourage smart AI adoption in business travel. Connect with our team to learn more.