Photo: Shutterstock


This is how SAS work with AI

Artificial intelligence is more than self-driving cars and robots that will take our jobs. Daniel Engberg, Head of Data Analytics & AI at SAS, explains how SAS wants to work with AI right now and in the future.

For many people, Artificial intelligence (AI) is something abstract, foreign and perhaps even frightening. Something that belongs in the future. But AI is already all around us, often without us even realizing, and it can be a huge leap forward for companies as long as it is used in a safe and responsible way right from the outset, according to Daniel Engberg, Head of Data Analytics & AI at SAS.
“Before we move forward with anything, we ensure that the data we use is totally reliable and obtained in an ethical and correct way,” he says.

SAS chatbot Turi is one example

SAS is working with AI in various ways today. One of the best examples is the digital travel assistant Turi, who can help travelers with things such as getting travel updates, booking tickets, checking in and getting answers to common questions.

AI can help lower the plane's weight

SAS is also looking at using AI to calculate how much fresh food to load on board each flight.
“Doing this using AI based on data from thousands of earlier flights makes a big difference compared with how we do it today,” says Engberg. 
“It’s far more precise and reduces waste. As well as decreasing the amount of food that has to be thrown away, which also lowers the plane’s weight, it’s also better for the environment and SAS’ costs to use AI.”

The model is currently being tested and SAS plans to use it extensively this year. 

Catching fraudsters

Other examples of where AI is used today include catching fraudsters trying to register EuroBonus points they’re not entitled to, and helping improve punctuality.
“We’re looking to use data on previous delays to see which routes are the most sensitive and work out what initiatives could deliver the best results,” says Engberg. 

With AI, the future is now, and although concepts such as self-flying planes may one day be on the horizon, Engberg prefers to concentrate on the shorter term.  
“That’s more a research area and not something that creates any specific value for us, our employees or our customers from a short-term perspective,” he concludes. 

Did you find this article inspiring?

Give it a thumbs up!



Close map


From the article

Share this tips


Looking for something special?

Filter your search by