Heaptalk, Jakarta — Online homestay marketplace operator Airbnb announced the acquisition of AI startup GamePlanner.AI for an undisclosed value (11/14). Sources familiar with the matter told CNBC that the deal is worth under $200 million.
Led by Adam Cheyer and Siamak Hodjat, GamePlanner.AI will focus on accelerating select AI projects and integrating their tool into the Airbnb platform. Previously, Airbnb has leveraged AI from across GamePlanner.AI’s services, including large language models, computer vision models, and machine learning. The platform has also utilized an AI-powered Photo Toor tool that the startup introduced in its 2023 Winter Release.
CEO and co-founder of Airbnb Brian Chesky revealed that GamePlanner.AI is special as the company combines expertise in AI, design, and community. He is optimistic that AI will rapidly change the world more than any other technology, but this change must be ensured to improve human welfare in a positive way.
“Airbnb is one of the more humanistic companies in technology, and I believe that, together with Adam and his team, we can develop some of the best interfaces and practical applications for AI,” said Chesky in the company’s official statement (11/14).
Using AI to enable human connection
Meanwhile, co-founder and CEO of GamePlanner.AI Adam Cheyer conveyed that one of the things that attracted his party to Airbnb was the shared commitment to using AI to enable human connection. “Like Brian, I believe that without great design and community-based intelligence, AI can only achieve a fraction of its potential. But with them, the sky’s the limit. The Airbnb team understands this better than anyone,” added Brian.
Prior to the acquisition, GamePlanner.AI focused on revolutionizing travel planning using artificial intelligence. Founded in 2020, the startup created personalized travel itineraries, suggesting activities, restaurants, and attractions based on individual preferences and past travel history as reported by OpenAISea.
However, the company operated by 12 people worked in stealth mode. Stealth mode is an IT business strategy in which software, hardware, or an IT product/service is intentionally hidden from the market, competitors, or general public until a predetermined completion date. This practice is commonly used in highly competitive markets.
