Qatar Airways has embarked on a groundbreaking journey in aviation by introducing Sama 2.0, the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) digital human cabin crew member. Unveiled at the ITB Berlin travel and trade exhibition, Sama 2.0 represents a significant leap forward in enhancing passenger experiences through innovative technology.
Conversational AI
Sama, meaning ‘Sky’ in Arabic, is a conversational AI powered by UneeQ, a New Zealand-based intelligent AI interface company. The tool offers curated travel experiences and assists passengers with real-time inquiries, ranging from destination recommendations to support tips. Sama 2.0 is accessible through Qatar Airways’ digital platform, QVerse, and the airline’s app.
Commenting on the launch, Qatar Airways’ vice president-marketing, Babar Rahman, said: “Sama 2.0 represents our relentless pursuit of innovation, and embodies Qatar Airways’ values of exceptional service and hospitality.”
For his part, UneeQ’s CEO Danny Tomsett said that Sama 2.0 is “a testament to the endless possibilities of AI, capable of delivering personalized and engaging interactions that mirror human conversation”.
While initially fluent in English, Sama 2.0 will expand her linguistic capabilities to include Arabic and other languages, catering to a diverse global audience. With real-time translation capabilities, Sama 2.0 aims to provide seamless communication for passengers worldwide.
Generative AI
Besides Sama 2.0, Qatar Airways recently also unveiled its Generative AI experience at the Web Summit Qatar. This experience allows travelers to enjoy hassle-free and personalized travel planning. Moreover, it utilizes comprehensive visual interactions and an interactive 3D map to understand customers’ travel preferences. Therefore, it eliminates the need for manual searches. Thus, customers can receive suggestions for their dream journeys across Qatar Airways’ network of over 170 destinations
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Global AI in aviation
Qatar Airways’ introduction of Sama 2.0 represents a paradigm shift in air travel. As the world’s first AI digital human cabin crew member, Sama embodies Qatar Airways’ commitment to innovation and excellence. According to Precedence Research, the global AI in the aviation market will experience exponential growth. With an estimated market size of $653.74 million in 2021 and a projected CAGR of 35.38 percent from 2022 to 2030, the market could surpass $9,985.86 million by 2030. This underscores the growing significance of AI technology in transforming the aviation industry.
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