AI may still be in its early stages across corporate travel, but new research released ahead of Business Travel Show Europe suggests it’s already proving its worth where buyers need it most: navigating geopolitical disruption.

According to the latest data from Business Travel Show Europe and The BTN Group, around one in ten travel buyers are already seeing tangible benefits from AI, particularly in managing real‑time geopolitical risk — the sector’s biggest challenge in 2026. With 46.5% of buyers citing geopolitical instability as their top concern, AI‑powered monitoring tools are helping teams track global events, assess safety and respond faster. 10.08% of buyers report they are already using AI for this purpose.

AI is also beginning to ease pressure on budgets, with 10.92% seeing cost‑saving benefits at a time when inflation and jet‑fuel price hikes are squeezing travel programmes. A further 9.24% say AI is improving duty of care through better traveller tracking and automated alerts.

But despite these early wins, the industry remains cautious. Buyers describe a “rollercoaster” of optimism and concern, with strong expectations for future AI benefits — from personalisation to sustainability tracking — tempered by worries about misinformation, data privacy and compliance risk. More than 75% cite misinformation and bias as their biggest barrier, followed by 66.39% concerned about data security.

Travel managers using AI today echo this balanced approach. Elisabetta Gibertoni of LivaNova says her team is using AI to improve traveller information search, but stresses the need for human oversight, transparency and data quality, calling AI a “decision‑support tool, not a decision‑maker”.

As the industry looks for practical, safe ways to scale adoption, this year’s Business Travel Show Europe (24–25 June, ExCeL London) will put AI centre stage. Sessions include real‑world case studies, new BTN Intelligence research and an “AI show and tell” where early adopters will share how they’re using the technology today.

For travel buyers navigating a volatile global landscape, the message is clear: AI isn’t replacing human judgement — but it is already helping the industry make smarter, faster decisions when it matters most.