This is Airbnb's first acquisition since 2019 and may signal a shift in CEO Brian Chesky's M&A strategy, potentially making Airbnb a more attractive acquisition. The news comes as Google is reported to be in talks to invest in another AI startup, Character.AI.
Key takeaways:
- Airbnb has acquired AI startup Gameplanner.AI in a deal valued at just under $200 million, marking its first acquisition as a public company.
- Gameplanner.AI was cofounded by Adam Cheyer, one of the founders of Siri, and the acquisition is expected to accelerate Airbnb's AI projects.
- Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has expressed plans to use generative AI as a "travel concierge" to enhance user travel experiences by learning about users over time.
- This acquisition could indicate a shift in Chesky's M&A strategy, potentially making Airbnb a more attractive acquisition target.