30SecondsToFly, a technology company focused
on artificial intelligence-based automation software for travel management
companies, has created an online course for agents to become familiar with working
with chatbots.
The course launches July 9, on e-learning platform Udemy for
$99.99. 30SecondsToFly has also entered into a partnership with ASTA, under
which the Society will make the course available to members free as part of its
educational resources.
30SecondsToFly co-founder Felicia Schneiderhan said the
course was created as a result of the coronavirus crisis, which has put many
TMC and call center agents out of work.
At the same time, Schneiderhan said, TMCs are gravitating
toward solutions that automate interactions with travelers, like chatbots. The
pandemic is “almost like a catalyst for this new contact center automation
technology to become a new standard.”
After integrating her company’s solution with TMCs, Schneiderhan
said she realized agents often needed quite a bit of training on the new
software. And with business slower than usual during the pandemic, she used her
time over the past two months to develop the new course.
“Quite clearly, we have knowledge that is very valuable for
travel agents, but at the same time this knowledge is very guarded,” she said.
“You won’t find it on the internet … because it is such a new thing. There are
no online courses, no webinars. There is really no structured information out
there.”
The course covers AI-based automation generally, not
30SecondsToFly’s specific product. It is broken down into four sections
consisting of three learning modules each. Its topics range from basic
elements, like what is AI and call center automation to more specific topics
like what kind of writing style to use when communicating with travelers.
30SecondsToFly has been developing AI-based call center
technology since 2016. Its customers include Flight Centre Travel Group and
Travel Leaders Group.