Airbnb Advances AI-Powered Search
Travel and accommodation service provider Airbnb has begun testing an artificial intelligence–driven search feature on a limited basis. The company’s Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky said the new search capability is currently available to a small number of users. The development was reported by Engadget.
Speaking during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call, Chesky said Airbnb aims to build what he described as an “AI-native experience” to simplify travel bookings, assist hosts in managing their listings, and improve overall customer service efficiency.
In a letter addressed to shareholders, the company noted that the new search feature will allow guests to describe their needs in more natural language and ask questions about listings and locations. Airbnb expects the search system to gradually become integrated across the entire travel experience. However, no specific timeline has been provided regarding when the feature will be made available to all users.
Airbnb had previously introduced an AI-powered chatbot for customer service, which is currently being used on a limited scale in North America.
According to a report by technology news outlet TechCrunch, the chatbot has been able to handle a significant number of customer requests without human assistance. The company’s long-term goal is to further expand the system and roll it out globally.
DBTech/BMT/OR
