Airbnb CEO is starting an AI company, but he is betting on a different future of AI

Airbnb chief Brian Chesky is reportedly funding a separate AI lab to explore new AI models and interfaces. The move reflects a wider shift as companies prepare AI systems to act for users rather than merely assist them.

In Short

• Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky is reportedly launching a new AI lab
• Chesky believes AI needs richer interfaces beyond text chatbots
• Companies are preparing for a future powered by AI agents

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool that helps people work faster. Increasingly, companies are preparing for a future where AI can act on behalf of users, make decisions, retrieve information, and complete tasks without human intervention. The latest sign of that shift comes from Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, who is reportedly setting up a new artificial intelligence lab focused on building AI models and rethinking how people interact with AI-powered services.

According to a Bloomberg report, Chesky is in the early stages of funding the venture. Importantly, he is not leaving Airbnb and will continue serving as the company's CEO. The new AI lab will operate separately, and Chesky will not be its chief executive.

Why would the CEO of a travel company start an AI lab?

At first glance, it may seem odd. There are already dozens of AI companies, from OpenAI to Anthropic, racing to build smarter AI models. But Chesky appears to believe that the next battle in AI is not just about intelligence, it's about experience.

Today's AI tools largely rely on chat interfaces. Users type a question, and the AI responds with text. Chesky has argued that services such as travel booking and e-commerce need richer, more interactive experiences than simple chatbots.

In other words, he isn't necessarily trying to build a better ChatGPT. Instead, he wants to explore a different way for people to interact with AI when planning trips, shopping online, or making decisions.

Airbnb's unusual AI strategy

Many travel companies have rushed to partner with AI firms. For example, competitors such as Expedia Group and Booking Holdings have explored integrations that allow users to access travel services through AI assistants.

Airbnb, however, has taken a different route.

Chesky has previously suggested that current AI tools are not yet robust enough for the kind of experience Airbnb wants to deliver. Rather than building heavily around existing chatbot platforms, the company has focused on using AI internally.

Inside Airbnb, employees are increasingly relying on AI coding tools to speed up product development. According to Chesky, projects that once took years can now be tested in weeks.

At the same time, Wall Street is preparing for AI agents

The timing of Chesky's move is interesting because another major shift is happening elsewhere. Recently, Morgan Stanley announced plans to allow AI agents to access data and insights from its platform. That may sound technical, but the implication is significant.

Today, if you want information from a financial platform, you log in, search for data, and perform tasks yourself.

Tomorrow, an AI agent could do that for you.

Instead of opening software designed for humans, users might simply tell an AI assistant what they need. The AI would then retrieve information, complete workflows, and even execute actions on their behalf.

The bigger picture: AI is moving from assistant to operator

For the past few years, AI has mostly acted as a helper. It has answered questions, summarised documents, and generated content. The next phase is different. Companies across industries are preparing for AI systems that can actually operate software, interact with platforms, and carry out tasks autonomously.

Morgan Stanley's move shows how financial firms are adapting to that future. Chesky's new AI lab suggests that travel and e-commerce companies are also trying to figure out what that future looks like.

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