Airbnb Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky recently stated the company has not integrated its online travel platform with OpenAI's ChatGPT. Chesky explained that ChatGPT's connective tools are "not quite ready" for such a tie-up. He emphasized that Airbnb will continue to monitor the development of ChatGPT's app integrations for future possibilities.^[1][2][3][4] ### Airbnb's AI Approach Chesky believes that OpenAI needs to develop a more robust platform. This platform would allow Airbnb's app to function in an "almost self-contained" way within ChatGPT, especially given Airbnb's community of verified users.^[1][2][3][4] Despite this, Chesky maintains a close friendship with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and has even advised the AI company on its new features for third-party developers.^[1][2][4] Internally, Airbnb actively uses artificial intelligence. The company has deployed an AI-powered customer service agent. This agent is built using 13 different AI models, including technologies from OpenAI, Alibaba's Qwen, Google, and various open-source providers.^{[1][3][5][6][7]} This advanced AI system has significantly improved customer support. It has reduced the need for human representatives by nearly 15 percent and cut the average customer resolution time from almost three hours to just six seconds.^[3][5][6][7] ### Beyond Chatbots Chesky prefers faster and more cost-effective alternatives for production use. He noted that Alibaba's Qwen model currently handles much of the heavy lifting for Airbnb's AI operations due to its speed and lower cost. OpenAI's latest models are used more sparingly in live production to balance performance and efficiency.^[1][3][8] He also clarified that he does not view ChatGPT as a truly "AI-native application." Chesky explained that ChatGPT's interface existed before the rise of advanced AI. He envisions creating new, genuinely AI-native interfaces designed specifically to leverage powerful AI models.^[9][10] The Airbnb CEO believes the future of technology will be more complex, not simpler. He does not expect one dominant AI interface or chatbot to emerge.^[11][12] Chesky also cautioned that AI chatbots are not yet ready to replace Google as the internet's primary gateway. He stressed that while these tools are powerful for customer service and personalization, they currently lack Google's extensive search infrastructure and referral capabilities.^{[13][5][6][7][14]} ### Future Vision for Travel Airbnb plans to integrate AI search into its app in the coming year. The company aims to develop an "ultimate AI concierge for travel and life."^[9] Chesky believes the significant impact of generative AI on applications will take longer than many expect. He predicts it will be closer to a decade before these technologies fundamentally transform app experiences.^[9][10][15] Chesky emphasized that the true value of AI models comes from how effectively they are customized and integrated into specific applications, rather than simply having the best underlying technology.^{[5][6][7][14]} This strategic focus allows Airbnb to enhance user experiences and service automation without relying solely on proprietary AI. The company's long-term vision involves expanding beyond just vacation rentals. Chesky wants Airbnb to become a comprehensive platform for everything related to global travel and living. He sees AI as a key component in building this future, fostering a more connected and human-driven experience for users worldwide.