Emirates Group partners with OpenAI to further deploy AI in aviation

Emirates and OpenAI have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate AI integration and innovation across the airline.

The initiative includes deploying ChatGPT Enterprise across the organization, supported by custom AI literacy programs, technical exploration, and executive alignment efforts designed to embed AI capabilities into core business functions.

Ali Serdar Yakut, Executive Vice President IT at Emirates Group, said the airline sees significant potential in AI to address complex commercial challenges, strengthen operational performance, and improve customer experiences. He added that collaborating closely with OpenAI will help ensure Emirates’ technology investments are both strategic and scalable, allowing the company to deliver greater value to employees and customers while reinforcing its competitive advantage within the aviation industry.

Rod Solaimani, Regional Director, MENA and Central Asia at OpenAI, said the Emirates Group has outlined an ambitious vision for how AI can reshape the future of aviation. He noted that OpenAI is proud to support this vision by integrating intelligence across operations, empowering teams with advanced tools, and redefining the travel experience for millions of passengers.

As part of the partnership, the two organizations will explore practical AI applications, develop an internal “AI champion network”, and establish an AI Centre of Excellence. The collaboration will determine priority areas for expanding the airline’s AI capabilities, focusing on essential skills, processes, and technologies needed to propel Emirates into its next stage of growth.

Emirates will also gain early access to emerging AI research and breakthroughs, as well as opportunities to participate in government-backed innovation programs and accelerators.

In addition, Emirates and OpenAI will conduct leadership sessions to examine real-world use cases, build executive support for AI initiatives, and give senior leaders insight into OpenAI’s product roadmap to inform long-term planning.

Technology teams from both organizations will work together to optimize the integration of OpenAI models, create best practices for rapid prototyping and deployment, and provide sandbox environments to speed experimentation across generative AI use cases.