HFTP Announces AI Council Focused on Data Privacy and Industry Guidance

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Association (HFTP) has established an AI council to develop ethical standards and provide expert guidance on artificial intelligence in the hospitality sector, with participation limited to HFTP members.

HFTP has established a new AI council to address the complexities of artificial intelligence in the hospitality industry. The council will focus on establishing industry standards, serving as a knowledge hub, and offering expert guidance to professionals navigating AI developments.

The council will focus on high-level governance, education, and AI best practices. It is intended to act as a resource for the industry, supporting organizations in adopting AI technologies with an emphasis on ethical practices, data privacy, and guest trust.

Membership on the council is exclusive to HFTP’s global members, with no participation fee required. Meetings will be held virtually to enable broad involvement from the worldwide membership base.

Primary objectives for the council include developing ethical AI standards that prioritize data privacy and guest trust. The council will curate a repository of relevant case studies to illustrate strategies and lessons learned from various business contexts. Plans also include hosting educational webinars aimed at finance and technology professionals in the hospitality sector to clarify AI concepts and applications.

The council will be led by co-chairs Michael Goldrich and Shannon McCallum. Goldrich is the founder and chief advisor of Vikander Advisors and has developed a five-step process to guide companies in AI transformation. McCallum is vice president of hotel operations at Resorts World Las Vegas and serves as secretary on the HFTP Global Board.

The council will address industry questions regarding AI trends and vendor evaluation, positioning itself as a neutral source of expertise. The group’s activities will focus on education and standardization, rather than product development, to support HFTP members in making informed decisions about AI adoption.

HFTP is continuing to accept volunteer forms from individuals interested in serving on the council. AI experts interested in participating are invited to submit their interest via the council volunteer form.