Airbnb discloses US$7.1 million deal with Chesky-controlled AI lab
The agreement allows Airbnb to invest in future funding rounds and use some technology developed by the lab.
Airbnb received US$7.1 million from an artificial intelligence lab established and controlled by its CEO, Brian Chesky, according to the company’s quarterly filing. The payment covered some intellectual property and certain expenses. As part of the arrangement, Airbnb obtained rights to use some lab technology within its business and can participate in later fundraising rounds.
The filing leaves the lab’s name and development activities undisclosed. Ahmad Al-Dahle, Airbnb’s chief technology officer, also works for the venture and has an ownership interest. Airbnb said the executives’ duties to the company remain unchanged. Independent board members on a special committee cleared the agreement under its related-party transaction policy.
The disclosure accompanied quarterly earnings in which Airbnb reported US$4.9 billion in revenue, up 19%, and US$1.9 billion in net income. Booked nights and seats increased 16%. The company lifted its revenue growth forecast for the year to the high teens, previously at least the mid-teens, and approved additional buybacks worth up to US$12 billion.
Alongside those results, Airbnb outlined plans to begin rolling out an AI travel agent during the first half of 2027. It said the service would help users plan and book trips, presenting answers through combinations of maps, photos, comparisons, calendars and itineraries instead of a chat window. Changes to bookings, refunds and payment problems would also fall within its scope.
Airbnb said about 40% of customer issues are now resolved by its support assistant without human assistance. The company reported a decline of more than 17% in support costs per booking from a year earlier.
