American Express has acquired Mezi, creator of a virtual
travel assistant powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
American Express Ventures invested in Mezi in 2016. The
company was founded in 2015.
The app lets users send message requests for hotel rooms,
flights or restaurant reservations. Mezi
users type their travel needs in a chat, and Mezi uses the traveler's
previously stored preferences to return travel options that can be booked via
the service.
If the AI can't fulfill a request, a travel agent steps in,
though the AI learns from the interaction for future queries.
Last summer, the company launched Mezi for Business. And in
November, Mezi was the runner-up in the emerging technologies category at the
Phocuswright Innovation Platform. Mezi also won the OAG Award for AI
Innovation.
Mezi co-founders Swapnil Shinde and Snehal Shinde will
remain with the company.