Airbnb CEO says AI agents like Muse and Instinct are barely bringing in bookings: 'I don't see them as a threat'

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has downplayed concerns that AI agents like Meta's Muse or Instinct AI are threatening the company's bookings. Speaking on the company's third quarter earnings call, Chesky stated that these agents have accounted for only a small fraction of Airbnb's nearly half a million daily bookings. In fact, he likened the amount of traffic from these agents to "very non-material."

Chesky emphasized that while he is generally excited about AI agents, he does not see them as a threat to Airbnb. He views them more as an opportunity to increase exposure for the platform, much like how Google can help users discover Airbnb. Chesky believes that AI agents should not attempt to do everything, but rather specialize in specific tasks.

This is why Airbnb plans to roll out its own AI agent next year, tailored specifically for travel bookings. The CEO cited research showing that 80% of travelers enjoy the process of planning trips, and want to engage with the platform by looking at photos, comparing options, and discussing choices with companions. Chesky noted that 90% of Airbnb's traffic occurs during regular work hours, suggesting that people are secretly using the service while on the job.

He believes that these users are actively seeking an aspirational experience, and that a single general-purpose AI agent is unlikely to fully replace the personalized, interactive experience of using Airbnb.