Future Value

In this episode of Future Value, Robert Wesley sits down with Philip Rothaus to explore what happens to brands, loyalty, and customer relationships when AI agents begin making decisions on our behalf.They unpack the rise of Agentic AI through the lens of consumer agency—the paradox of “more convenience, less control”—and the philosophical questions that come with intermediated decision-making. The conversation also traces how machine learning and recommendation engines evolved into the new gatekeepers of demand, and why loyalty programs can’t stay “human-first” when commerce becomes agent-driven.They explains how rewards can become native to AI agent transactions, where the new customer touch points will emerge, and what brands must do to strengthen their agency in a world where the interface is no longer an app—it’s an assistant.00:00 Introduction to Agentic AI07:06 Philosophical Questions15:32 Role of Recommendation Engines22:35 Loyalty in the Age of AI29:17 Rewards and AI Agent Transactions35:33 AI Agents and Customer Touch Points

In this episode of Future Value, Robert Wesley sits down with Michael Ros, founder and CEO of Sleep.io, to explore what’s real (and what’s hype) at the intersection of Web3 and travel.They unpack how blockchain can change the travel user journey—from crypto payments and on-chain booking experiences to new models of ownership through NFTs and fractionalization.Michael explains where Web3 actually creates user value (flexibility, portability, transparent ownership), what makes fractionalization hard in practice, and why the next wave is less about “technology” and more about solution-first products—especially as AI and blockchain begin to converge in travel experiences.00:00 Introduction to Sleep.io and Web3 Travel05:16 User Flexibility and Ownership in Travel14:39 Fractionalization of Ownership in Travel22:32 Undervalued and Overrated Web3 Ideas in Travel

In this episode of Future Value, Robert Wesley sits down with Khang Nguyen Trieu, former APAC CEO and Group Chief Technology Architect at Accor, where he oversaw technology across 40 brands and more than 5,500 hotels worldwide.They unpack the reality of hotel technology today—from fragmented legacy systems and manual operations to the rise of AI, automation, and robotics transforming hospitality.Khang explains why most hotels actually operate like SMEs despite global brands, why back-of-house operations remain surprisingly manual, and where automation can deliver ROI in under six months.00:00 The Reality of Technology Inside Hotels03:20 Why Most Hotels Operate Like SMEs07:10 Managing Tech Across 40 Brands & 5,500 Hotels11:00 Why Hotel Systems Are So Fragmented14:20 Robotics in Hotels: What Actually Works Today17:45 The Economics of Hotel Automation21:45 How Singapore Is Transforming Hospitality with Tech25:35 The One Workflow Every Hotel Should Automate

In this episode of Future Travel, Robert Wesley hosts Brett Catlin (VP Alaska Air Group). They delve into the concepts of customization and personalization in the travel industry, exploring the role of cohorts, earning loyalty rewards, communities, data collection, strategic tie-ins, co-branding, agent-based bookings, and the future of airline loyalty programs. The discussion emphasizes the distinction between customization and personalization, the value of cohort-based customization, and the strategic importance of partnerships and data in loyalty programs.Chapters* 00:00 Introduction to Customization and Personalization in Travel* 10:44 Role of Communities in Customization and Engagement* 16:17 Strategic Tie-in Between Loyalty Membership and Wi-Fi* 23:19 Future of Airline Loyalty Programs