Flight Centre Travel Group Announces Launch of ‘AI Center of Excellence,’ Led by Adrian Lopez, the Company's New Head of AI for Corporate

New York, NY (November 21, 2023) – Flight Centre Travel Group (ASX:FLT), one of the world’s largest travel management companies, announced the establishment of an ‘AI Center of Excellence,’ a new global division that will focus on promoting, adopting, and integrating artificial intelligence technologies into the business.

The ‘AI Center of Excellence’ will strategically harness the power of AI to revolutionize Flight Centre’s flagship business travel divisions Corporate Traveler and FCM, by enriching customer experiences, boosting employee productivity and more. As part of the launch, Adrian Lopez will step into a newly created role as Head of AI for Corporate, where he will lead a dedicated team of technical experts responsible for laying out the shared vision for AI within the organization. He most recently served as Global Chief Technology Officer for FCM Digital.

Adrian and his team will set the overall AI strategy for Flight Centre and ensure the company is maximizing the potential around generative AI, while doing so effectively, responsibly, and in alignment with its business objectives. The specialized team will implement best practices and provide research, support, and training around AI, with a focus on improving efficiency and driving value to new and existing clients. They will look to find ways to seamlessly integrate the technology into the operations of the company’s business travel divisions Corporate Traveler and FCM.

In today’s ever-changing digital world, we recognize the tremendous potential with AI and ways it can transform our work,” said John Morhous, Global Chief Experience Officer, Flight Centre Travel Group. “As we continue to evolve and grow as a business, we’re thrilled for the opportunity to open this new ‘AI Center of Excellence,’ as well as appoint Adrian into this new leadership role. With his expertise, deep insights, and proven track record in technology innovation, Adrian will be integral to our success in this space, both today and in the years ahead.

With the debut of the ‘AI Center of Excellence,’ Flight Centre will aim to strengthen the relationship between the human workforce and hands-on AI applications. The incredible automation and machine learning that AI offers will prove to be a perfect complement to the personal touch and natural intuition of the human mind. Furthermore, Flight Centre will leverage AI to enhance productivity and improve workflow optimization, allowing its teams to focus on priority initiatives and more creative-driven projects.

“I am beyond excited for this next chapter in my career with Flight Centre and to further push the boundaries of technology in travel,” said Lopez. “The disruptive benefits of AI will enable us to work more efficiently, identify new ways to service our clients, and reach the next generation of business travelers. The launch of the ‘AI Center of Excellence’ is another significant step and milestone to add to the company’s already decorated history of innovation.”

A travel technology pioneer, Lopez has over a decade of industry experience. In 2014, he co-founded Sam, a mobile AI-powered app that operates as a 24/7 virtual travel assistant, helping travelers easily manage their trips. Flight Centre made an initial investment in Sam in 2017, which was followed by a full acquisition in 2019. After the ownership transition, Lopez officially joined the Flight Centre team, where he has helped oversee the integration of Sam’s capabilities across various products, while also leading the development of the new FCM Platform.

Located in Greece, Lopez will report into U.S.-based Morhous, with his role effective immediately.