Airbnb Acquires AI Startup... "Connecting Personalized Accommodation Options"

Global accommodation sharing company Airbnb announced on the 14th (local time) that it has acquired the AI startup 'GamePlanner.ai'.

Airbnb introduced this startup, consisting of a 12-member team, as a 'stealth' company that has been operating secretly since its founding. One of the two leaders running the company, Adam Shire, is a well-known industry figure who co-founded the venture company 'Siri', acquired by Apple in April 2010, and served as Apple's Vice President of Mobile Software after the acquisition. After leaving Apple, he served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of AI platform developer Viv Labs, and after Samsung Electronics acquired the company, he led the development of Samsung's AI assistant 'Bixby'.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to the U.S. economic media CNBC, the acquisition amount for Airbnb's startup is reported to be just under $200 million (approximately 260 billion KRW).

Airbnb is already utilizing AI across its services, including large-scale language models, computer vision models, machine learning, and AI-based 'Photo Tour' tools, but with this startup acquisition, it plans to accelerate AI projects and focus on integrating the tools developed by the company into its platform.

Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, said, "What makes GamePlanner.ai special is the combination of expertise in AI, design, and community," adding, "Airbnb believes it can develop the best interfaces and practical applications together with this team."

At a press briefing on the same day, CEO Chesky announced plans to use AI technology in customer service available 24/7 throughout the year.

He also explained that generative AI will fundamentally change the company's platform, and in the future, AI will learn about users and act as a 'travel concierge' by connecting rooms or homes tailored to individual preferences.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.