Before implementing artificial intelligence initiatives across its entire group, International Airlines Group (IAG) takes a cautious approach by thoroughly testing the technology within a single airline. Chief AI scientist Ben Dias underscores the importance of evaluating both the benefits and the effectiveness of AI on one brand first, ensuring strong oversight and alignment with compliance standards right from the beginning.
Begin with One Brand, Scale if Successful
As the parent company of major airlines such as British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling, IAG carefully manages technology rollouts to address the complexities posed by its wide operational landscape. Dias describes their method: every AI solution is initially piloted in just one airline. This deliberate focus enables the team to observe real-world results and refine the technology based on actual performance. Dias noted, “Our preference is always to build a minimal, validated prototype before taking it to the other brands,” speaking ahead of his participation in the Skift Data + AI Summit Europe in London, scheduled for October 6, 2026. By avoiding the temptation to pursue an all-encompassing launch, IAG accelerates its learning process and more rapidly realizes business value, drawing out essential lessons at each phase before expanding further.
Governance and Compliance by Design
In light of evolving European frameworks like the EU AI Act and GDPR, IAG has adjusted its innovation processes to prioritize built-in legal and regulatory safeguards. Dias points to initiatives such as IAG’s AI Creative Studio initiative, mentioning that integrating governance and intellectual property protections “from day one” is what empowers the group to confidently expand successful tools to different subsidiaries and regions.
He emphasizes that, for IAG, compliance isn’t just procedural—it is embedded in the DNA of AI projects. “We treat robust governance as a necessary part of building something scalable, one that stands up to the requirements of any geography or airline,” Dias explains. This mindset positions IAG to consistently adhere to regulations regardless of the jurisdiction in which a solution is deployed.
Partnering Humans and AI in Aviation
Dias identifies the greatest advantages of AI in supporting skilled personnel, especially in demanding areas such as maintenance planning and boosting operational resilience. He notes that, by integrating AI with the expertise of human teams, IAG enables these professionals to analyze countless scenarios at speeds unattainable by conventional means. Rather than focusing on pure automation, the company’s approach blends AI-driven intelligence with specialist knowledge, empowering staff to reach better decisions more quickly amid complex challenges.
The foundation of IAG’s AI policy is clear: tangible results must be demonstrated within one airline before the technology is brought to the rest of the group. The performance at this initial stage establishes the template for future adoption elsewhere at IAG.
Advice for Industry Peers
Drawing on his experience, Ben Dias offers this advice to others in the travel and airline sector weighing AI implementation:
- Pilot in phases: Use one business unit to create a stable proof-of-concept, then inform broader strategy with those findings.
- Incremental gains: Aim for achievable milestones rather than a complete solution at launch, showing early value and refining over time.
- Proactive regulation: Ensure legal, IP, and governance requirements are considered from the inception of every project.
- Workforce empowerment: Involve expert teams early, using AI to augment—not displace—them in initial deployments.
Previewing the Data + AI Industry Event
On October 6, 2026, Ben Dias will be among the speakers at the Skift Data + AI Summit Europe in London, where industry thought leaders such as Filip Filipov from OAG, Peer Bueller from KAYAK, Sheena Varma from Amex GBT, and Nicolas Maynard from Accor are also scheduled to appear. More information and registration details are available at the official summit page.
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