{
  "id": 13148421,
  "title": "Airbnb CEO Chesky says ChatGPT makes him wish he was 26 again",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/airbnb-ceo-chesky-says-chatgpt-makes-him-wish-he-was-26-again",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-09T13:42:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-says-chatgpt-made-him-wish-he-was-in-his-20s-again-as-amazing-as-airbnb-is-if-i-was-26-i-could-/articleshow/134835647.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Airbnb's Brian Chesky believes that generative AI, including ChatGPT, has altered his perspective on entrepreneurship. The 45-year-old co-founder of the short-term rental company expressed a wish to return to his mid-20s, when he began building Airbnb, after experiencing the transformative power of AI tools. Chesky stated that today's AI capabilities enable aspiring founders to create products and businesses with fewer resources compared to two decades ago.\n\nIn an interview on the Silicon Valley Girl podcast, Chesky cited ChatGPT as a turning point in his views on entrepreneurship. He said, \"Until the launch of generative AI, ChatGPT, I said ‘Thank god I was born the time I did, because now is a tougher time.’ And then post-ChatGPT, part of me said, ‘I wish I was 26 again.’ Because actually, as amazing as Airbnb is, if I was 26, I could probably do something just as cool. Because the tools now are so much more powerful.\"\n\nChesky sees potential for entrepreneurs to build new businesses, including those in education, healthcare, and even an \"AI Disney,\" which could revolutionize storytelling and entertainment. He predicts that the AI era could give rise to hundreds of large companies, similar to Anthropic, alongside \"tens of millions\" of smaller businesses, emphasizing that fewer resources are now required to start a company.\n\nWhile acknowledging concerns about job displacement due to AI, Chesky argued that people can leverage the technology to build their own products and businesses. He noted that workers outside Silicon Valley may perceive AI as something happening to them rather than a tool they can use. Chesky stated, \"People outside of Silicon Valley feel like AI is happening to them…and it’s changing their job. It’s displacing them.\"\n\nTo encourage experimentation with AI, Chesky admitted that learning to use new tools can be intimidating. He shared his own experience with Claude Code, initially feeling unsure but then receiving assistance from an Airbnb employee. Chesky advised people to learn from colleagues, friends, and online tutorials, urging them to \"jump in the pool\" and not be deterred by the perceived coldness of the technology. He concluded by encouraging people to increase their AI Quotient by taking the AIQ test.",
  "summary": "Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has expressed how generative AI alters perspectives on entrepreneurship and opportunities for founders. He wishes he could start over in his mid-20s, viewing today's AI tools as powerful resources. Chesky suggests there is potential in sectors like education and healthcare, as well as innovative storytelling through AI. He encourages individuals to embrace AI use,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}