Airbnb is growing faster than competitors because of AI, says CEO Brian Chesky

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  September 10, 2026 at 15:17  |  3:25  |  CNBC
Speakers
Brian Chesky — CEO and Co-Founder, Airbnb

Summary

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky explains how AI is transforming Airbnb, from shipping 80% more software to handling nearly half of customer service tickets, which he says is helping it grow faster than competitors. He argues the biggest long-term economic value from AI will go to companies that apply AI rather than those that build it. Chesky also says AI creates expansion opportunities beyond travel, including selling tickets. The discussion took place at Goldman Sachs' Communacopia technology conference.

  • Airbnb is shipping 80% more software than a year ago due to AI.
  • AI now handles almost half of Airbnb customer service tickets.
  • Chesky says Airbnb is becoming an AI-native company and growing faster than competitors.
  • He hired the former leader of Meta AI to drive company-wide AI adoption.
  • Chesky expects most economic value to eventually accrue to AI appliers, not AI makers.
  • He sees AI as creating new business opportunities for Airbnb beyond travel, such as ticket sales.
  • The interview was conducted by David Faber at Goldman Sachs' Communacopia conference.
Ideas
Brian Chesky CEO and Co-Founder, Airbnb 0:38
AI-native Airbnb is outgrowing competitors.
Airbnb is infusing AI across the entire platform, shipping 80% more software than a year ago and using AI to handle nearly half of customer service tickets. Chesky says this AI-native transformation is why Airbnb is now growing faster than competitors.
ABNB HIGH
Brian Chesky CEO and Co-Founder, Airbnb 2:40
AI application, not creation, wins economically.
Chesky argues that the largest long-term economic value from AI will accrue to companies that apply AI rather than those that make AI, similar to how electricity's value ultimately went to consumer applications built on it.
AI-SECTOR HIGH
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This CNBC video, published September 10, 2026, features Brian Chesky discussing ABNB, AI-SECTOR. 2 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Brian Chesky  · Tickers: ABNB, AI-SECTOR