The International Airlines Group (IAG) emphasises proving the value of artificial intelligence (AI) within a single airline before expanding such initiatives across its portfolio, which includes British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling. This approach, championed by the Group’s chief AI scientist, Ben Dias, involves starting small and scaling thoughtfully in response to successful results and lessons learned.
Sequential Scaling Strategy
Ben Dias, speaking ahead of his participation at the Skift Data + AI Summit Europe in London on October 6, 2026, explained that the key to successfully scaling AI in the travel sector is to address real business problems initially with one airline. By establishing a strong foundation and proving results, IAG aims to replicate and expand solutions across its other brands. Starting with a comprehensive solution from the start can slow progress, Dias noted, whereas an incremental approach can provide faster, more insightful outcomes.
Regulatory Compliance and Governance
The implementation of the EU AI Act and GDPR influences AI deployment strategies. Dias highlighted the necessity of incorporating legal and responsible governance from the outset. Within IAG’s AI Creative Studio, compliance measures and considerations around intellectual property are integral to design processes, ensuring that scaling efforts are secure and aligned with regulatory standards.
AI Augmenting Expert Decision-Making
Dias sees significant opportunities for AI to enhance decision-making by experts in complex environments such as aviation. Applications include optimising maintenance schedules, boosting operational resilience, and evaluating myriad potential scenarios efficiently. Rather than replacing human expertise, AI acts as a supportive tool that enables quicker, more decisive actions.
Strategic Focus Points
- Initial Deployment: Start with one airline to establish a baseline that will guide subsequent implementations across other brands.
- Development Approach: Avoid commencing with a full-scale solution to prevent delays; focus on showing initial value first.
- Governance Integration: From the beginning, incorporate governance, legal compliance, and intellectual property considerations to aid market scalability.
- Targeted Deployment Areas: Introduce AI in areas that require expert decision-making, such as maintenance planning, positioning it alongside specialist teams.
Ben Dias will share further insights at the Skift Data + AI Summit Europe, joined by industry leaders like Filip Filipov from OAG, Peer Bueller from KAYAK, Sheena Varma from Amex GBT, and Nicolas Maynard from Accor.
Reporting based on coverage first published by skift.com.