All indications are that 2026 will be the year of agentic AI, succinctly defined as gen AI that can accomplish real-world tasks rather than simply outputting content. Agentic AI is already playing a key role in next-generation automation within companies, increasing productivity and reducing costs. According to Phocuswright’s latest research report Budgets, Barriers and the Race to Agentic AI, more than 60% of travel businesses surveyed are experimenting with or scaling agentic AI, with 6% already actively scaling and 22% beginning to scale.

Stellantis boosts investment in AI, partnering with Microsoft to enhance mobility and streamline operations. The partnership aims to integrate advanced AI technologies to create smarter, more connected vehicles. AI will personalize in-car experiences, improve navigation, and assist drivers in real-time. Inside the company, AI will automate tasks and enhance decision-making across various departments. This collaboration reflects a broader automotive trend toward software-driven cars and highlights AI’s essential role in future mobility.

Dubai launches a new program to help government employees use AI in daily tasks, focusing on practical skills rather than theory. Participants will gain hands-on experience with the latest AI technologies, including large language models, applicable across various industries. The initiative fits into Dubai’s broader vision of integrating AI into government services and operations, enhancing efficiency and user experience. The program aims to build employee confidence in using AI through structured training and real-world applications. This effort supports the UAE’s ambition to be a global AI hub by fostering growth in both public and private sectors.

Companies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are treating supply-chain modernization as a long-term business priority rather than a temporary response to disruption. Recent reporting points to rising interest in artificial intelligence, automation, and real-time data tools as firms look for stronger logistics performance and better resilience.

TripWorks today warned that a surge of AI‑generated “instant booking platforms” is putting tour and activity operators around the world at risk, as a wave of new research reveals widespread accuracy failures and operational breakdowns across the travel tech sector.

Omio, the world's leading multimodal travel platform, has today announced the launch of its ChatGPT app to enable passengers to search and compare travel options in real time through conversational AI. The launch represents a key step in Omio's ambition to become a leading AI-native platform. It brings Omio's global transport network of over 3,000 partners to ChatGPT's 900 million weekly users, marking a significant shift in how travel is planned and booked.