Qatar Airways Unveils Sama 2.0, the World's First AI Flight Attendant

Imagine stepping onto a plane and being greeted by a friendly, informative presence – not a human flight attendant, but a virtual one. This is the future that Qatar Airways is pioneering with Sama 2.0, the world's first AI-powered digital human cabin crew member.

Named after the Arabic word for "sky," Sama made her debut at the 2024 ITB Berlin conference, marking a significant leap forward in the airline industry. Developed in collaboration with UneeQ, a leader in AI digital human technology, Sama 2.0 is more than just a digital character; she's a revolution in passenger experience.

What can Sama 2.0 do?

Equipped with advanced conversational AI, Sama 2.0 acts as a walking encyclopedia for Qatar Airways. Passengers can interact with her in real-time to get answers to a wide range of questions, from frequently asked travel queries to detailed information about their destination city.

Here are some of Sama's key functionalities:

• Real-time information: Sama can provide up-to-date details on flight schedules, boarding procedures, baggage allowances, and in-flight services.
• Destination expertise: Thinking about sightseeing options or must-try local experiences? Sama can offer recommendations and information about various destinations on the Qatar Airways network.
• Personalized service: Sama can access and process passenger data to provide a more personalized experience. This could involve anything from dietary preferences to entertainment recommendations.

Revolutionizing the travel experience

Sama 2.0 isn't designed to replace human flight attendants entirely. Instead, she serves as a valuable supplement, offering 24/7 assistance and freeing up human crew to focus on more complex tasks and passenger interactions that require a personal touch.

Qatar Airways sees Sama 2.0 as a way to enhance the overall travel experience for passengers. Babar Rahman, Qatar Airways Vice President Marketing, emphasized this point, stating, "Sama 2.0 represents our relentless pursuit of innovation, and embodies Qatar Airways' values of exceptional service and hospitality." [Qatar Airways Press Release]

Accessing Sama 2.0

Currently, passengers can interact with Sama 2.0 through Qatar Airways' immersive digital platform, QVerse, and their mobile app. This allows for easy access to information and assistance before, during, and even after a flight.

The future of AI in aviation

The introduction of Sama 2.0 marks a significant step towards a more AI-powered future for aviation. While Sama is currently focused on information and assistance, it's easy to imagine her capabilities expanding in the future. Perhaps she could handle tasks like managing in-flight entertainment systems or even taking meal or beverage orders.

A new era of personalized travel

Qatar Airways' pioneering approach with Sama 2.0 sets a new standard for innovation in the airline industry. As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more integration of virtual assistants like Sama, creating a future of personalized and seamless travel experiences for passengers around the world.