Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky plans to launch a new AI lab, entering competition with frontier AI companies

Chesky is backing a new AI lab, as reported by Bloomberg and confirmed to TechCrunch. The move reflects his view that existing AI products from frontier labs are not yet adequate, despite Airbnb having adopted AI coding tools.

The lab's focus will likely involve user interaction and design—areas Chesky has emphasized at Airbnb—though the specific direction is not yet clear. Chesky will remain Airbnb's CEO and will not lead the lab himself.

Chesky has a long history advising Sam Altman: they met in 2006 through Y Combinator, and Chesky helped broker Altman's return to OpenAI after the board fired him. Now, however, he appears to be entering competition with Altman's company.