Priceline launches a new voice assistant powered by artificial intelligence developed by OpenAI.
Meet your AI-powered travel agent, Penny.
Priceline has launched an innovative tool called Penny Voice, which uses artificial intelligence to facilitate travel planning through a smooth and natural conversation similar to interacting with a human agent. This new feature has been developed in collaboration with OpenAI, leveraging its Realtime API and the recently introduced GPT-4o model.
Penny Voice aims to enhance Priceline's existing travel assistant by integrating new capabilities that allow the AI to process speech naturally. With this technology, Penny can interpret complex requests and anticipate user needs, even recalling past interactions and expressed preferences, enabling it to personalize responses in future conversations. For now, Penny focuses on facilitating hotel bookings, and users can interact with her through the Priceline app for iOS or their website.
The use of Penny Voice promises to simplify the travel organization process. Instead of having to browse multiple websites and draft detailed requests, users can speak directly with Penny. The AI not only helps find accommodations but also offers recommendations for restaurants and activities to enjoy. Priceline plans to extend Penny's functionalities to include flight bookings, rental cars, and vacation packages in the near future.
Priceline's CEO, Brett Keller, commented on the company's commitment to technological innovation, stating that this tool redefines how travelers plan and book their trips. He highlighted the ongoing collaboration with OpenAI, which allows for quick updates and improvements to Penny's capabilities.
What sets Penny Voice apart from other AI tools in the vocal space is the vast amount of information Priceline possesses about its customers, as well as its engine for exclusive offers. With the support of OpenAI, Penny is capable of adjusting to emotions, modulating its tone and phrasing to reflect the emotional signals of users, enhancing the interaction experience.
Additionally, Priceline conducted auditions with over a hundred voice actors to find the ideal tone that allows Penny to communicate in a friendly and approachable manner. Notably, Penny Voice has the ability to identify and respond in over 120 languages, broadening its global usefulness.
The implementation of OpenAI's Realtime API in Penny represents an example of how companies can integrate natural conversational experiences into their applications. This project not only tests Priceline's investment in AI but also evaluates whether incorporating artificial voices into user experiences is seen as a significant advancement in the field of artificial intelligence.
