Airbnb starts testing AI search with an optional toggle

In short: Airbnb says it is using AI to build product faster and it will start testing a new AI search option that users can switch on with a toggle.

What happened

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said on the company’s latest earnings call that AI is helping Airbnb move faster when it builds new features. He said the company has cut the time from idea to launch by as much as 60% on some projects.

Chesky also said Airbnb has shipped nearly 80% more features and improvements in the past six months compared to the same period last year. Earlier this year, Airbnb said AI now writes 60% of its new code, meaning software instructions used to build the app and website.

Airbnb’s biggest customer-facing change in this update is a test of AI search. Airbnb plans to add a toggle, like a switch, so people can choose between the current search and filters or the new AI search.

With AI search, users can type in natural language, meaning everyday sentences like you would text a friend. Chesky said the results could include AI-generated titles and personalized highlights shown in real time.

Airbnb is also using AI heavily in customer support. The company said its AI support agent now works in more than 50 languages, and about 45% of issues that start with the AI are solved without a human. Airbnb said its support cost per booking is down 16% from a year ago.

Why it matters

For travelers, this could change how you find a place to stay, from clicking filters to simply describing what you want. For Airbnb, faster development and lower support costs could mean more frequent updates and potentially quicker help when problems come up.

Source: TechCrunch AI