{"id":35653,"date":"2026-01-15T00:10:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T21:10:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bnbnews.gr\/?p=35653"},"modified":"2026-01-15T00:25:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T21:25:58","slug":"airbnb-new-cto-the-shift-to-ai-and-cheskys-bet-on-human-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bnbnews.gr\/en\/otas\/35653\/airbnb-new-cto-the-shift-to-ai-and-cheskys-bet-on-human-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Airbnb New CTO: The shift to AI and Chesky\u2019s bet on \u201chuman\u201d travel"},"content":{"rendered":"

At a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping e-commerce, digital platforms, and consumer behavior, Airbnb is making one of its most critical leadership and technology moves of the past decade. The company announced the appointment of Ahmad Al-Dahle<\/strong> as Chief Technology Officer (CTO)<\/strong>, signaling its intention to place AI at the core of its strategy for travel and hospitality.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Airbnb Co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky<\/strong>, speaking to CNBC, made it clear that the company views artificial intelligence not merely as another automation tool, but as a historic opportunity to \u201cdo AI right\u201d in travel and e-commerce<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Airbnb new CTO: Who is Ahmad Al-Dahle<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ahmad Al-Dahle is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures globally in the field of artificial intelligence. He joins Airbnb from Meta, where he led Generative AI<\/strong> and the team behind Llama<\/strong>, the family of open-source AI models that has surpassed one billion downloads and spawned tens of thousands of derivative models.<\/p>\n

His career also includes pivotal roles at Apple, where he contributed to the development of core technologies behind the iPhone and Apple Watch, as well as the creation of the autonomous technology platform for the company\u2019s self-driving car project.<\/p>\n

For Airbnb, Al-Dahle\u2019s appointment is not solely about technological excellence. As Chesky highlights in his internal message, he is a leader who combines deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a strong emphasis on human-centered design<\/strong>\u2014qualities considered essential for the platform\u2019s next phase of growth.<\/p>\n

Brian Chesky and AI: Putting a \u201chuman face\u201d on technology<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In his CNBC interview, Brian Chesky expressed caution about how artificial intelligence is currently being deployed across many digital platforms. As he noted, digital products have increasingly become \u201cattention vortexes,\u201d pulling people away from the real world and authentic experiences.<\/p>\n

Against this backdrop, Airbnb aims to move in the opposite direction:
to use AI in ways that bring people closer to the physical world<\/strong>, rather than keeping them glued to screens.<\/p>\n

This approach is particularly significant for the short-term rental sector, where experience, authenticity, and human connection remain key competitive advantages over standardized forms of accommodation.<\/p>\n

AI in Travel: From property search to an AI travel assistant<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to Chesky, Airbnb sees artificial intelligence as the catalyst for a fundamental shift in how people plan and experience travel<\/strong>. Traditional search based on filters and listings is no longer enough. The next step is the development of a smart, personalized AI assistant<\/strong> that understands travelers\u2019 needs and proposes complete, tailored experiences.<\/p>\n

AI in customer support: The first step<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Airbnb has already begun deploying AI in customer support, reducing the need for human intervention in simple requests and improving response times. However, management has been clear that this is only the beginning of a much broader transformation.<\/p>\n

AI and Short-Term Rentals: What it means for hosts and property managers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For short-term rental professionals, these developments point to deeper changes in how properties are marketed, priced, and managed<\/strong>. The integration of advanced AI could lead to:<\/p>\n