Tap into the Power of AI to Transform Your Business Travel

The business travel experience is ready for a refresh as disruptions drive inconvenience for employees and budgets. According to this year’s SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey , 88% of business travelers globally report taking unanticipated steps in the past 12 months because of unexpected challenges, like spending additional time on the road (38%) or incurring additional expenses (36%). However, artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to help travelers navigate the unexpected.

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Although SAP Concur has used AI in travel and expense (T&E) solutions for a decade, we’re rapidly adding features that use generative AI to make the most of this emerging technology. Companies that use integrated T&E tools stand to realize the biggest gains: AI will not only improve the business travel experience but many of the processes surrounding it as well, from finance to procurement.

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Our survey found that 64% of travel managers globally would like to see AI used to automate at least some of their responsibilities. Meanwhile, 95% of business travelers would consider using AI-powered automation to support their tasks, including visa and documentation support (37%), capturing and reporting expenses (37%), finding sustainable travel options (37%), and more.

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Here are a few ways businesses can use AI to streamline T&E, both now and in the very near future.

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Enhanced Booking Experiences

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The more that AI manages in the corporate travel process, the better the insights, the sharper its suggestions, and the more streamlined the plan-to-expense process can be. As the technology continues to develop, AI will help employees reclaim more time typically spent on administrative tasks and further support organizations in cutting costs without cutting corners.

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While the appetite for AI is strong, especially when it addresses the specific pain points that come with booking travel, businesses will need to ensure they roll out AI tools in a responsible manner. Overall, 89% of business travelers say they are open to using AI-enabled booking options with training or certain assurances in place. More than one in five (22%) view AI-enabled travel recommendations as critical for inclusion in their company’s travel booking tool.

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While 19% of business travelers say they want an AI-curated list of booking options based on their preferences and needs, many (34%) would still rather review and book their business trips themselves.

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There is also some generational discomfort with AI today—and it runs counter to stereotypes. Ninety-five percent of Gen Z and 92% of millennial business travelers say they are uncomfortable using AI-enabled booking tools, compared to 83% of Gen X and 68% of baby boomers. Company-provided training and the assurance that tools are reliable and won’t create any bias could help alleviate the discomfort.

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This is an excerpt of my latest post on the SAP Concur blog. The full content, including two more ways that AI can transform business travel, can be read here .

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