At a time when artificial intelligence is transforming entire industries in the world’s major tech
hubs, an Atlantic island is taking a bold step into the future. Tenerife is now home to a
groundbreaking technological initiative led by David Yang, a global pioneer of Armenian origin and
one of the most influential voices in the field of AI.
Dr. David Yang, founder of the renowned company ABBYY, has selected Tenerife as the launch site
for a project that promises to reshape how we interact with everyday services. Through his company
Newo.ai, and in collaboration with the prestigious restaurant network Venture Restaurants Tenerife,
Yang and his team have introduced an AI-based pilot project in the hospitality sector.
This intelligent assistant, developed in partnership with technology expert Andrey Sapunov, takes
over routine tasks such as managing reservations, handling phone calls, and providing customer
information—allowing human staff to focus on delivering an exceptional experience.
The issue being addressed by these AI Employees (AI Hosts, AI Receptionists, AI Sales Reps), built
on the Newo.ai platform, is customer loss. According to international statistics, small businesses
lose between 15% and 30% of their customers due to missed calls during peak hours, and an
additional 7% to 14% from unanswered calls outside of business hours. Newo.ai’s AI Employees
operate 24/7, answering calls and managing reservations, enabling the average restaurant to increase
its monthly revenue by $20,000 to $60,000.
Far from the traditional tech capitals, Tenerife is positioning itself as a real-world stage for
innovation. The success of this pilot highlights how regions often considered peripheral can take the
lead in adopting next-generation technologies. A key figure in this transformation is Jodi Beard,
Director of Innovation at Venture Restaurants Tenerife, who actively promotes the integration of
advanced tools to enhance customer experience.
This project is not science fiction. It’s a tangible reality. As early as May, customers at TROQUE and CHAR restaurants will be booking their tables through an AI receptionist,” the creators affirm.
