Airbnb has added AI-powered search to its app as part of its fall product update, marking the company’s first major step into AI-driven property discovery after CEO Brian Chesky chose to avoid a chatbot-style interface.
Users can now switch on a toggle to search for properties using text or voice prompts, with the interface generating dynamic filters based on their preferences. A search mentioning a baby, for example, automatically surfaces filters such as cribs, playgrounds and children’s toys. AI also highlights relevant property features and lets users compare wish-listed stays through AI-generated summaries and reviews.
Chesky told TechCrunch the feature is only the beginning and that the company will iterate quickly in the coming months. He said building AI search is not difficult in itself, but doing so for an e-commerce platform handling $100 billion without hurting conversion rates is the real challenge.
Alongside AI search, Airbnb is expanding in-app services to include meal delivery, laundry, baby-gear rental, ski and boat rental in select locations, and broader grocery delivery. It is also adding a map showing connections’ past and upcoming trips, with an option to keep trips private, and neighborhood pages built from guest reviews and other sources.
