IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Wei Manfredi as Senior Vice President of AI and Architecture, signalling a fresh push to scale responsible artificial intelligence across its global hotel portfolio as digital transformation accelerates in hospitality.
What’s Happening
Wei Manfredi joins IHG to lead the company’s AI strategy, technical and data architecture, and partnerships with leading technology organisations. The appointment strengthens IHG’s technology leadership at a time when hotel groups are increasingly deploying AI to drive personalisation, operational efficiency and owner returns.
In her new role, Manfredi will guide how AI is applied across IHG’s systems and brands, with a focus on innovation that is secure, operationally practical and aligned with the realities of hotel operations.
Why It Matters
As hospitality groups scale AI adoption, the challenge is balancing automation with human service. IHG’s move reflects a wider industry shift toward embedding AI deeper into core platforms—revenue management, property systems and guest engagement—while keeping human interaction central to the guest experience.
By appointing a senior executive dedicated to both AI and architecture, IHG is signalling that data, systems and responsible governance are now foundational to long-term growth.
A Technology Leader with Franchise Insight
Wei Manfredi brings senior leadership experience from global companies including McDonald’s, Google Cloud, Lululemon and Visa, alongside advisory roles with leading technology boards. Her background combines enterprise-scale technology execution with an understanding of franchise-driven businesses, a critical balance for global hotel groups.
She has been recognised as a top AI leader for 2026 and named among the 100 most influential AI leaders in America.
What IHG Is Already Rolling Out
The appointment builds on a series of recent technology milestones at IHG, including:
- A new Revenue Management System deployed to more than 6,700 hotels worldwide
- A new Property Management System launched across 2,000 hotels
- Machine translation supporting more than 20 IHG brands
- Expanded AI-powered automation across operations
- Continued growth of the IHG One Rewards app as a digital travel companion
Looking Ahead
IHG says its technology investments are designed to deliver tangible benefits for owners and guests while equipping teams with smarter, more secure tools. By pairing advanced AI capabilities with human-led hospitality, the company aims to create more personalised, meaningful guest experiences at scale.
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