Qatar Airways says its AI flight attendant is the airline industry’s first ‘digital human’

Sama 2.0, the first digital cabin crew member of Qatar Airways, may also be the future of airline customer experiences.

Unveiled at the ITB conference in Berlin, the AI assistant is game-like and armed with a range of expressions and simulated breathing—and will provide comprehensive assistance to passengers on various topics, from on-board services to travel information. Qatar Airways calls it “the first digital human in aviation.”

And if like many travelers, you’ve been frustrated by not knowing the origin story of the entity providing you information on baggage allowance, check-in procedures, or layover activities, Sama comes complete with a backstory: an upbringing in Doha and specialized training as a flight attendant for Qatar Airways, the airline says.

Sama was developed through a collaboration with Qatar Airways and UneeQ, a New Zealand-based tech company that makes digital assistants with human-like avatars that use lifelike facial expressions to interact users. Unlike traditional chatbot interactions, Sama—which translates to “sky” in Arabic—takes an approach that emphasizes personalization and empathy.

Babar Rahman, vice president of marketing at Qatar Airways, considers Sama to be the embodiment of the airline’s commitment to innovation and refined customer service through cutting-edge technology. “The deployment of Sama 2.0 in the airline industry underscores the importance of establishing personal connections with our passengers,” he said in a statement. “Approachable and friendly, these authentic interactions will help us increase customer engagement and offer best-in-class services.”

Originally introduced in 2022 as the “first-ever metahuman cabin crew,” Sama was initially designed to guide customers through the QVerse, Qatar Airways’ immersive virtual platform.

With its enhanced capabilities, Sama now engages in real-time interactions with customers, transforming from a one-way exchange to a dynamic conversational experience. Customers can seek the most up-to-date information directly from Sama, making their journey through the virtual customer experience platform more immersive.

Sama 2.0 is currently English-speaking only; versions released later this year will be fluent in Arabic and other languages, and equipped with real-time translation.

https://www.fastcompany.com/91048781/qatar-airways-ai-flight-attendant-sama-uneeq-digital-human?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

Creato 11mo | 6 mar 2024, 18:40:06


Accedi per aggiungere un commento

Altri post in questo gruppo

Frustrated with today’s ‘attention economy’? You’re really going to hate what comes next

In the 1990s, the internet was a bit of a wonderland. It was new and liberating and largely free of

25 gen 2025, 12:20:09 | Fast company - tech
Why tech in Congress lags  behind the modern world

On a typical day, you can’t turn on the news without hearing someone say that Congress is broken.

25 gen 2025, 12:20:08 | Fast company - tech
$TRUMP was just the beginning: The new administration is finding all sorts of ways to cash in

At President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Detroit pastor Lorenzo Sewell took the stage to pray for the incoming administration, peppering his

25 gen 2025, 12:20:07 | Fast company - tech
Did you show ‘negative sentiment’ for insurance companies after the UHC CEO shooting? Police were watching

When news broke that the United Healthcare CEO was shot in broad daylight early last month, outrage erupted online. But it wasn’t aimed at the assassin. Instead, it was directed at the broken U.S.

25 gen 2025, 00:50:02 | Fast company - tech
How an AI-generated ‘expert’ sank into media deadlines

Ashley Abramson first came across Sophie Cress in a cold pitch to her work email. Cress was asking to be an expert source for any stories Abramson was working on as a freelance reporter. “I’ve got

24 gen 2025, 22:30:03 | Fast company - tech
Meta’s Threads is finally getting ads

Threads, Meta’s X and Bluesky rival, is testing ads with certain brands in the United States and Japan, the company said Friday.

“We know there will be plenty of feedback abo

24 gen 2025, 20:10:07 | Fast company - tech
How the broligarchy is imitating Trump in more ways than one

Sooner or later, the politicians who most admire Donald Trump begin to emulate him. They

24 gen 2025, 17:50:03 | Fast company - tech