Suzanne Sangiovese is commercial director of Copenhagen-based travel risk intelligence company Riskline

As we continue to navigate the evolution of business travel and global uncertainty, it’s apparent that corporations must have their finger on the pulse like never before if they want to achieve their business travel KPIs.

In a world of fast-moving, disruptive events and changing travel conditions, corporates must stay on top of travel risk intelligence to ensure that the purpose of business trips – fostering connections, securing deals – can take place without unexpected costs and delays.

With new generative AI and automation tools coming on to the market every day, we are now on the cusp of a transformation in travel risk intelligence that will make it easier for companies to stay one step ahead than ever before.
 
With events often unfolding quickly, it can seem impossible to combat the information overload and know what’s actually going to be disruptive and what’s just noise. Imagine having a system that proactively alerts travellers to potential changes, and tells them how it may affect their trip. Getting information and guidance to make an informed decision, before it’s a crisis? This is possible thanks to generative AI and automation tools.
 
AI tools allow us to monitor real-time information from multiple sources, including social media, news outlets, government alerts, and weather reports, with greater efficiency and accuracy. By analysing this data in real-time, companies can better gauge when travellers may need to alter their plans to ensure business can still get done and people can stay safe. The constant vigilance these tools give us reduces the risk of being caught off guard by unforeseen events and empowers travellers to act proactively.
 
The ability to process large amounts of information quickly also means that personalisation is actually possible. Every traveller is unique, with their own set of requirements and risk tolerances. Traditional risk assessments often lack the personal and business context needed to effectively cater to individual travellers and, if we’re honest, are often not practically useful when incidents do occur.

 
Using past events and previous travel experiences, AI tools can be used to generate insights on how potential disruptions can affect travellers differently, and quickly provide personalised recommendations or advice based on the characteristics of the traveller and their trip. This personalised information also makes it so much more likely that travellers use the information – if it’s tailored to them and not just vague statements, they’re more likely to pay attention and act when necessary.
 
And herein lies the key value add of AI tools when looking to take your travel risk intelligence to the next level. In the past, even with access to a wealth of information, it was challenging to grasp the context and identify critical factors for decision-making. AI tools change this paradigm by eliminating much of the guesswork and bridging the gap between information and decision.
 
As these large models understand patterns and relationships in vast amounts of data, they can help companies extract actionable insights that might have otherwise been overlooked. This means that it’s easier for the models to tell when an event is more likely to lead to disruption to a trip, and how best to avoid it. This could mean the difference between “checking the box” on the duty of care responsibilities and actually helping employees make informed decisions about whether to proceed with a business trip, modify itineraries, or make alternative arrangements. This not only enhances risk management practices but can also have a demonstrable impact on time and cost savings.
 
Ultimately, the purpose of travel risk intelligence is to be informed enough to keep our people safe, avoid unexpected costs and therefore ensure business is able to take place smoothly. While it’s vital to stay on top of key emerging risks, the availability of AI and automation tools means we can do more than ever before to manage the flood of information and quickly make decisions.

Business trips now require more consideration than in the recent past, so having up-to-date intelligence and being able to use it effectively to manage any travel risks bolsters the case for each trip. AI tools can help travel teams realise this value by ensuring companies aren’t caught off guard by unexpected events, that travellers get personalised advice, and that intelligence is seamlessly translated into decisions that make travel easier and safer.