Airbnb Ventures into AI with Acquisition of Gameplanner.AI for Nearly $200 Million
By James Pebenito • November 18, 2023
Airbnb Ventures into AI with Acquisition of Gameplanner.AI for Nearly $200 Million
With the acquisition of Gameplanner, Airbnb, the massive worldwide travel and lodging company, has taken a calculated risk by entering the artificial intelligence (AI) space. AI. This acquisition, which is valued at slightly less than $200 million, is Airbnb’s first since going public and highlights the company’s dedication to using AI to provide cutting-edge travel experiences.
Strategizer.AI was established in 2020 and has been running in “stealth mode,” a tactic used by businesses to protect their intellectual property and uphold some degree of confidentiality. Adam Cheyer, a co-founder of the startup, brings a noteworthy perspective to the project because he was a founding member of Siri, an innovative virtual assistant that Apple later purchased. Purchasing Gameplanner.AI has the potential to advance Airbnb’s AI projects and spur platform innovation.
Adam Cheyer: An Airbnb AI-shaping co-founder of Siri
Adam Cheyer worked closely with the late Steve Jobs to build Siri, and he made a substantial contribution to that project. After launching Siri, Cheyer co-founded Viv Labs, which established the foundation for Samsung’s voice assistant. Cheyer contributes a wealth of experience to Airbnb’s AI initiatives, having a long history in the development of virtual assistants.
Airbnb’s Proposal for AI Generative
Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, has articulated a revolutionary vision for generative AI and anticipated its seismic shift on the platform. The idea is to employ AI to create a “travel concierge” that improves user experiences over time. Personalized lodging recommendations are one example of this; they match customers with the best rooms or houses according to their interests.
For Airbnb, this acquisition represents a significant milestone—its first since 2019. The company’s M&A strategy and capacity for change are called into question by Brian Chesky’s emphasis on the possibilities of AI. Together with a sizeable $11 billion in cash and liquid assets as of September, Airbnb’s profitability on a GAAP basis places the company in a crucial position within the rapidly changing travel and technology industries.
Increasingly Comprehensive AI Environment: Google’s Intent on Character.AIS
Significant changes are occurring in the larger AI ecosystem in addition to Airbnb. Google may be in talks to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on Character, according to reports. Another startup in AI. Morality. With a $1 billion valuation, artificial intelligence (AI) enables users to create virtual characters or converse with AI representations of well-known individuals like Elon Musk or Albert Einstein.
As Airbnb uses the Gameplanner to welcome AI. The acquisition of AI represents a significant advancement in the fusion of technology and travel. AI has the ability to completely change the vacation experience, which is in line with Airbnb’s dedication to innovation and is generating excitement and attention from Wall Street and industry watchers alike.