Like Siri (software on Apple devices that lets you use your voice to send messages, make calls, set reminders, etc.), MAIA (pronounced ‘My-ah’) is a computer program designed to simulate conversations with human users. MAIA uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) to ‘understand’ requests and queries from humans and then formulates a correct response.    

Requests and responses can be delivered by text or voice on mobile devices and desktops.   

With the current technology trend for utilising artificial intelligence (AI) and the rise in popularity of ‘messaging’ systems, chatbots are becoming the norm in many industries.  

What makes MAIA different however is her ‘brain’. MAIA works in partnership with MoveAssist’s flagship product mai-assignment and as a result can access all the information related to a company’s employees and their assignments. MAIA can therefore provide detailed answers to employee questions and can take meaningful, helpful action on behalf of a global mobility team.   

Employees can message MAIA as they would their friends, using natural language, as MAIA understands slang and even ‘text speak’. If an employee on assignment asks “Where’s my stuff?” MAIA will instantly answer with details of when their household goods are likely to arrive at their new home. MAIA can then put the employee directly in touch with the contact at the moving company, either by phone or e-mail.   

MAIA is available to employees on a 24/7/365 basis allowing them to get the information they need when they need it. For example, an employee can ask about schools in Dubai and MAIA will retrieve the relevant information from the ‘library’ of information held within mai-assignment. To ensure that only accurate and relevant information is shown to the employee, the mobility team can control the data that MAIA provides.   

As well as employees on assignment, both HR and mobility specialists can benefit from MAIA’s knowledge – for example, asking MAIA “How many assignees do we have in Brazil?” will instantly return an answer.   

MAIA also has the ability to learn and will, over time, develop more personalised relationships as the knowledge base increases, making the chatbot key to improving the employee experience.  

For any company with a large mobile population or with employees spread across different time zones, MAIA provides a consistent, always-on support facility with up to date and relevant information.   While a chatbot will never replace the personal touch, MAIA can lighten the load on the mobility team and free up time by handling everyday requests and dramatically reducing the number of e-mails sent and received - time that can be better spent in developing a more strategic approach to mobility and improving ROI.   

MAIA is a new and exciting addition to mai-assignment making employee relocation, on-boarding, on-going assignment management and repatriation easier and more efficient for all involved.  

MoveAssist International is a past winner of an EMMA Award for ‘Most Innovative use of Technology in Global Mobility’, a Re:Locate Award for ‘Technological Innovation in Relocation’ and has been shortlisted for this year’s EMMAs in the ‘Most Innovative Use of Technology in Global Mobility’ category. 

Photo: MAIA’s ‘brain’ allows her to provide employees with detailed answers to their questions.