Since early 2023, ChatGPT has dominated the conversation in technology. Many have described this new AI tool as a “seismic shift” and “the biggest thing since the Internet.”
To demonstrate the capability of ChatGPT, most of this article was generated by ChatGPT. All sections that were AI generated are noted as such.
Is the AI-generated content perfectly composed, detail-rich, and ultra-nuanced? No. Is it simple to understand and surprisingly accurate? Absolutely.
There’s no doubt that generative AI tools such as ChatGPT will have significant impacts on how business gets done, how we communicate, and even society at large.
Let’s jump in and start with the basics.
Every good article begins with some background, so we we’ll start with this prompt which we entered ChatGPT:
Prompt #1: What is generative AI and ChatGPT? How do they work? And how might it reshape business?
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that is designed to generate content, such as text, images, or music, that is original and not based on pre-existing templates. Generative AI works by analyzing large amounts of data and identifying patterns in that data that can be used to generate new content.
ChatGPT, specifically, is a generative language model developed by OpenAI. It is trained on a massive dataset of text and can generate new text based on a given prompt or context. ChatGPT works by analyzing the patterns in the text it has been trained on and using those patterns to generate new text that is coherent and relevant to the given prompt.
The potential impact of generative AI and ChatGPT on businesses is significant. Here are a few examples of how they could reshape business:
Personalization: Generative AI can be used to personalize customer experiences, such as recommending products or services that are relevant to a customer’s preferences or past behavior. ChatGPT can generate personalized responses to customer inquiries, improving customer satisfaction.
Automation: Generative AI can automate many routine tasks, such as data entry or customer service inquiries. This can save businesses time and money and improve efficiency.
Innovation: Generative AI can be used to generate new ideas and solutions to complex problems. ChatGPT can generate new insights and perspectives on business issues, helping businesses to innovate and stay ahead of the competition.
Decision making: Generative AI can provide businesses with insights and recommendations based on data analysis. ChatGPT can generate reports or summaries that provide decision makers with the information they need to make informed decisions.
Overall, generative AI and ChatGPT have the potential to transform the way businesses operate, improving efficiency, personalization, and innovation.
Prompt # 2: How could ChatGTP and generative AI change business travel management?
ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies have the potential to significantly change the way business travel management is handled. Here are a few possible ways in which this could happen:
Personalized trip planning: With the help of generative AI, business travelers could receive personalized trip recommendations based on their preferences and past travel history. ChatGPT could assist with booking flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel services that meet the traveler’s specific needs and budget.
Automated travel policy compliance: Many companies have strict travel policies that employees must follow when booking travel. Generative AI could help automate the compliance process, ensuring that all bookings fall within the company’s guidelines. ChatGPT could provide instant feedback on whether a proposed trip meets the policy criteria, and if not, suggest alternative options.
Real-time travel assistance: ChatGPT could provide real-time assistance to travelers while they are on the road. For example, if a flight is delayed or canceled, ChatGPT could help the traveler find alternative flights or hotels. Additionally, ChatGPT could provide real-time updates on weather conditions, traffic delays, and other relevant information that could impact travel plans.
Cost savings: By using generative AI to optimize travel bookings, companies could potentially save money on travel expenses. ChatGPT could help identify the most cost-effective flights, hotels, and rental cars, and also suggest ways to bundle services together to save money.
Overall, generative AI has the potential to streamline and optimize the business travel management process, making it more efficient, cost-effective, and personalized.
How Much Does ChatGPT Know About NDC? A lot, actually.
Given that NDC and airline retailing are very hot topics now, we threw a three, increasingly sophisticated prompts at ChatGPT around that subject.
- First, we asked ChatGPT to ‘draft a memo for a travel manager to describe what NDC means to corporate travelers.’
- Our second prompt was ‘Draft a strategy document for a corporation and its TMC to prepare for the transition to NDC.
- And finally, we asked ChatGPT to ‘draft a debate about NDC between three parties. 1) an airline executive who is pro-NDC 2) a travel manager who is skeptical of NDC and 3) a GDS executive who is against NDC.’
Prompt #3: Draft a communications strategy for a travel manager to describe what NDC means to corporate travelers.
Sure! Here’s a draft of a communications strategy that a travel manager could use to explain NDC to corporate travelers:
Dear Corporate Travelers,
As your travel manager, I want to make sure you are aware of a new development in the travel industry that may impact your future bookings: the implementation of the New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard.
NDC is a new technology standard that allows airlines to provide more detailed and personalized information about their fares and services to travel agents and travel management companies. This means that when you book a flight, you may see more options and ancillary services, such as seat upgrades, priority boarding, and lounge access.
NDC also allows for more efficient and accurate booking processes, which can save time and reduce the likelihood of errors or discrepancies in your travel arrangements. Additionally, NDC enables airlines to offer exclusive deals and promotions directly to travelers, which can help you save money on your bookings.
As your travel manager, I am committed to ensuring that you have access to the best and most cost-effective travel options available. With the implementation of NDC, we will have access to a wider range of airline content and services, allowing us to find the best deals and options for your business travel needs.
I understand that change can be intimidating, but I want to assure you that I am here to help you navigate this transition. If you have any questions or concerns about NDC or how it may impact your travel arrangements, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and happy travels!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Prompt #4: Draft a strategy document for a corporation and its TMC to prepare for the transition to NDC.
Sure, here’s a draft of a strategy document that a corporation and its travel management company (TMC) could use to prepare for the transition to NDC:
Objective:
To ensure a smooth transition to the New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard for airline bookings, while minimizing any disruptions to corporate travel operations and ensuring cost-effective and efficient travel arrangements.
Key Strategies:
Collaborate with TMC: Work closely with your TMC to develop a comprehensive NDC implementation plan. Identify key stakeholders, establish clear communication channels, and define roles and responsibilities. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the transition to NDC is as smooth as possible.
Evaluate current technology and processes: Assess your current booking tools and processes to identify any potential gaps or areas that may need to be upgraded to support NDC. Ensure that your technology is compatible with NDC, and if not, work with your TMC and technology providers to implement necessary upgrades.
Educate your travel managers and travelers: NDC represents a significant shift in the way airline bookings are made. Educate your travel managers and travelers on the benefits of NDC, what it means for them, and how it will impact their travel. This will help them understand the changes and adapt to new processes quickly.
Negotiate with airlines: NDC allows airlines to offer more personalized fares and services. Work with your TMC to negotiate with airlines to ensure that you are getting the best possible deals and that any ancillary services are bundled into the overall fare.
Test, test, test: Before fully implementing NDC, conduct extensive testing to ensure that the new system is working as intended. Test with a variety of travelers and itineraries and identify and address any issues before the full roll-out.
Monitor and evaluate: Once NDC is implemented, monitor its performance closely. Track savings, traveler satisfaction, and any issues that arise. Use this information to continuously improve and refine your travel program.
Timeline:
Developing a comprehensive NDC implementation plan may take several months. It’s essential to allow enough time for testing and training to ensure a successful transition. We recommend the following timeline:
- Month 1-2: Establish NDC implementation team and identify key stakeholders.
- Month 3-4: Evaluate current technology and processes, and work with TMC to implement necessary upgrades.
- Month 5-6: Educate travel managers and travelers and negotiate with airlines.
- Month 7-8: Conduct testing, address any issues, and refine processes.
- Month 9-12: Roll-out NDC and monitor performance.
Prompt #5: Draft a debate about NDC between three parties. 1) an airline executive who is pro-NDC 2) a travel manager who is skeptical of NDC and 3) a GDS executive who is against NDC
Sure, here’s a draft of a debate between an airline executive, a travel manager, and a GDS executive about NDC:
Moderator: Good evening, and welcome to tonight’s debate about the New Distribution Capability, or NDC. Our panelists tonight are an airline executive who is pro-NDC, a travel manager who is skeptical of NDC, and a GDS executive who is against NDC. Let’s begin.
Airline Executive: Thank you, moderator. I believe that NDC is the future of airline distribution. It allows us to provide more personalized and flexible travel options to our customers, which ultimately leads to better customer satisfaction and increased revenue for airlines.
Travel Manager: I disagree. NDC is a new technology that is not yet fully developed, and it’s not clear how it will impact our travel program. Plus, it may require significant investment in new technology and processes, which could add costs to our program.
GDS Executive: I couldn’t agree more. NDC is a threat to the entire travel ecosystem. It puts GDSs, travel agents, and corporate travel managers at a disadvantage, as airlines can provide exclusive deals and promotions directly to travelers, cutting out the middleman.
Airline Executive: I respectfully disagree. NDC actually helps GDSs and travel agents by providing more detailed and accurate information about airline fares and services. Plus, it enables airlines to offer bundled packages that include ancillary services, which can lead to more revenue for travel agents.
Travel Manager: But how can we ensure that we are getting the best deals for our travelers? If airlines are offering exclusive deals and promotions directly to travelers, we may not have access to those deals through our TMCs.
GDS Executive: Exactly. NDC gives airlines an unfair advantage, and it’s not clear how GDSs and travel agents can compete. Plus, it may require significant investment in new technology and processes, which could add costs to the travel ecosystem.
Airline Executive: But the travel ecosystem is constantly evolving. NDC is simply the next step in the evolution of airline distribution. By embracing NDC, we can provide better travel options and services to our customers, which ultimately benefits everyone in the travel ecosystem.
Travel Manager: I understand your point, but as a travel manager, my priority is to ensure that our travel program is cost-effective and efficient. It’s not clear how NDC will impact our program, and I need to be cautious about investing in new technology and processes without a clear understanding of the benefits.
GDS Executive: And as a GDS executive, my priority is to ensure that the entire travel ecosystem is fair and competitive. NDC gives airlines an unfair advantage, and it’s not clear how GDSs and travel agents can compete.
Moderator: Thank you, panelists, for your thoughtful insights. It’s clear that NDC is a complex issue with both benefits and challenges. We’ll have to wait and see how it evolves and impacts the travel ecosystem. Thank you for joining us tonight.
Summary: As businesspeople, content creators, relationship builders, and travel professionals, all of us in some way will interact with generative AI-powered or AI-enhanced tools and technology in the coming months. (Microsoft has already integrated ChatGPT into the latest version of Office allowing the instant creation of reports, presentations, and documents.) The speed at which these tools are evolving is nothing less than astonishing. It’s our goal to understand them and to follow the evolution in this space. We’re testing these tools to learn, experiment, and to stay on top of the curve.
