Omio taps OpenAI to cut product build time to 20%

Omio's move reflects a broader shift from search-based interfaces to AI-native customer experiences in travel. By connecting OpenAI models to live transportation inventory and pricing data, the company enables travelers to ask natural-language questions and receive bookable journeys, rather than navigating multiple websites. This represents an early example of conversational commerce, where AI serves as the interface layer between customers and real-world systems.

The company's internal transformation is equally significant, as it pairs customer-facing AI with a deep internal rollout. Starting with ChatGPT for employee experimentation, Omio expanded to Codex, embedding it into engineering workflows and extending it to non-technical functions. The reported reduction in product development effort to approximately 20% of previous levels suggests that AI is not just a feature but an operating model change.

The stakes hinge on whether Omio can maintain quality and accountability as it accelerates. The company explicitly states that humans stay in charge, and its leadership lessons emphasize redesigning workflows rather than simply automating tasks. Success will depend on extending this approach broadly while preserving oversight, as it continues to define what conversational commerce looks like in travel.