Flight Centre Travel Group creates global “AI Center of Excellence”

Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) is creating a new division and dedicated team that will focus on finding ways to use artificial intelligence to “revolutionize” the company’s flagship business travel divisions – Corporate Traveler and FCM.

The “AI Center of Excellence” is being established as a global division that will be led by Adrian Lopez in the new role of head of AI for corporate.

Lopez was a co-founder of SAM, an AI-powered virtual assistant app that FCTG acquired in 2019. Lopez has been with Australia-based company since that time, most recently as global chief technology officer for FCM Digital.

“In today’s ever-changing digital world, we recognize the tremendous potential with AI and ways it can transform our work,” said John Morhous, global chief experience officer of FCTG’s corporate brands. 

“As we continue to evolve and grow as a business, we’re thrilled for the opportunity to open this new ‘AI Center of Excellence,’ as well as appoint Adrian into this new leadership role. With his expertise, deep insights, and proven track record in technology innovation, Adrian will be integral to our success in this space, both today and in the years ahead.”

FCTG said the new division will focus on promoting, adopting and integrating AI into the company’s corporate divisions to enrich customer experiences, boost employee productivity and more.

“With the debut of the ‘AI Center of Excellence,’ FCTG will aim to strengthen the relationship between the human workforce and hands-on AI applications. The incredible automation and machine learning that AI offers will prove to be a perfect complement to the personal touch and natural intuition of the human mind,” the company said in a statement.