Media release: UneeQ and Serko showcase AI-powered digital human technology for corporate travel

‍July 22, 2024. Austin, TX, USA.

UneeQ, a global leader in generative AI digital human technology, and Serko, a global leader in corporate travel technology, have announced the next evolution of Zena, the world’s first digital human travel agent. The unveiling took place at the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Convention, the premier global event for the business travel industry.

Attendees at the event will be some of the first people in the world to interact with the digital human, experiencing an elevated level of AI-powered service for booking and managing their travel arrangements.

Zeno: The online travel platform for the business travel market

Zeno is Serko’s technology platform that simplifies the process of booking and managing travel for the world’s business travelers. Zena is Serko’s experimental digital human interface, exploring new ways to deliver real-time, face-to-face customer service, enabling users to interact naturally and make travel arrangements in a conversational style using generative AI technology. 

Linked directly to content inventories, Zena listens to what a user wants from their travel experience, and then recommends accommodation options with up-to-date prices and information.

Key features of this new experience include:

• Always on, real-time customer service: Available 24/7 to help with travel planning and itinerary changes.
• Personalized travel recommendations: Delivers complex, personalized travel solutions tailored to individual needs and preferences.
• ChatGPT Integration: The digital human is connected with ChatGPT and trained to conduct interviews, gather information, and understand hotel preferences and requirements.
• An intuitive and visually appealing interface for displaying hotel options, which reacts in real-time to user inputs and filtering criteria.

Empowering corporate travel with digital humans

Digital humans from UneeQ are the next generation of AI interfaces, providing humanlike support with empathy and connection. They are used throughout the enterprise to enhance customer experiences. With the introduction of Zena in 2019, Serko has demonstrated how digital human technology can help ease friction in corporate travel, and deliver personalized customer experiences at scale.

“Travel is emotive. People need time to discuss and explore their options. As a digital human, Zena engages customers in a natural conversation to understand their travel needs, before making recommendations that are tailored specifically for them.  Matching people to travel solutions that fit their unique professional and very personal needs results in happier customers,” says Simon Grieve, SVP of Customer Success at UneeQ.

"Travel is an inherently personal experience, and that's why we're working with some of the pioneers in the groundbreaking space of virtual assistants to deliver the next generation of user interface." says Darrin Grafton, CEO at Serko. "We first introduced digital human technology to our customers and partners back in 2019 and are excited to see its potential unfolding with the power of generative AI." 

About UneeQ

UneeQ is a global leader in generative AI digital human technology, providing next-generation AI interfaces that offer empathetic and humanlike support. UneeQ digital humans are deployed across various industries to enhance customer and community interactions.

About Serko

Serko is a leader in online travel booking and expense management for the business travel market. Zeno is Serko’s next generation travel management application, using intelligent technology, predictive workflows and a global travel marketplace to transform business travel across the entire journey. Listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange Main Board (NZX:SKO) and Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:SKO), Serko is headquartered in New Zealand, with offices across Australia, China and the United States.

For more information, visit serko.com.