Tech giant invests nearly $200 million in stealth AI startup founded by Siri co-creator
In its first acquisition since 2019 and first-ever as a public company, Airbnb has acquired GamePlanner.AI, a stealth 12-person AI company founded by Adam Cheyer and Siamak Hodjat. Adam Cheyer, known for co-founding Siri and Viv Labs, has a storied history in AI and design.
Alongside Siamak Hodjat, who led the natural language processing team for Siri at Apple and the largest engineering team for Viv Labs at Samsung, GamePlanner.AI’s team is poised to accelerate select AI projects and integrate their tools into Airbnb’s platform.
While the deal’s exact details remain undisclosed, CNBC reports a valuation of around $200 million. Airbnb’s profitability and substantial cash reserves, totaling $11 billion as of September 2023, signal the company’s strong financial position and strategic intent in the evolving tech landscape.
Gameplanner.AI has been in “stealth mode” since its founding in 2020. Startups in stealth mode operate out of the public eye for various reasons, such as to protect intellectual property or avoid distractions. According to Airbnb, Gameplanner.AI will accelerate some of the company’s AI projects.
Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky expressed the significance of the acquisition, stating, “AI will rapidly alter our world more than any other technology in our lifetime, but we need to ensure that it augments humanity in a positive way.” He highlighted GamePlanner.AI’s unique combination of expertise in AI, design, and community, aligning with Airbnb’s approach in the tech industry.
While Airbnb already utilizes AI across its services, the addition of GamePlanner.AI’s expertise is expected to drive further innovation. The company’s focus on AI-powered experiences, as seen in the recent Winter Release featuring an AI-powered Photo Tour tool, aligns with Chesky’s vision of developing new interfaces and practical applications for AI.
Chesky’s vision for Airbnb involves leveraging generative AI to create a “travel concierge” that adapts to travellers over time – for example, matching users with the right rooms or homes.
The acquisition comes amid a broader trend in the tech industry, with companies like Google exploring significant investments in AI startups. Airbnb’s move reflects a recognition of AI’s transformative potential and its desire to stay abreast of technological advancements.
