Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, recently shared insights on the intersection of technology and human connection during a wide-ranging interview with ABC News’ Rebecca Jarvis. He urged us to think of computers as amplifiers, not our new overlords. Of particular importance was restoring faith in the power of human relationships, an important counterbalance to our modern, tech-obsessed lives.
Chesky quoted IT visionary Steve Jobs’ advice to “never trust a computer you can’t throw out the window.” No, he continued, “Actually, that’s why they invented a handle on the Mac. In short, he reminded us that these tools are indeed tools. They are not sentient creatures, and you do have them in your control. As a digital native, he thinks technology is an important part of all our daily lives. It should never supplant our core human desire for connection.
Airbnb has led the industry with do-it-yourself artificial intelligence built into its customer support experience. The firm is rolling out new AI functions that will allow users to generate highly customized responses in seconds. As Chesky put it, when reacting to this latest move, “AI is not magic.” In particular, he reinforced that technology is a tool to improve connections, not a replacement.
Chesky even added that the challenge of managing new artificial intelligence technology isn’t so different from how we’ve always managed humans. He stated, “Management of AI and management of people aren’t actually that different: they’re both hard.” This notion shows his clarity of thought and higher awareness of the intricacies at play in both arenas.
As Airbnb has sought out new avenues to diversify their revenue stream, the platform has recently rolled out a “Connections” tab on users’ profile tabs. This feature does a great job of highlighting the people they’ve connected with via the platform, creating excitement and charging advocacy through connecting users to each other. As Chesky put it, “We are not a commodity; we’re a community.” This announcement highlights Airbnb’s commitment to creating meaningful connections between its hosts and guests.
In answer to that question, and despite his close friendship with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Chesky pointed out that Airbnb is not yet working with OpenAI. When the time is right, he said, he’s open to exploring possibilities for future collaborative partnerships. He was Altman’s mentor in the formative days of ChatGPT. …position it as a tool, not as some sort of anthropomorphic creature,” Caucus Chairman Rep. Responsible AI management must be prioritized.
While technology continues to evolve, the importance of human connection is a constant — that’s why Chesky is so passionate about it. As he put it, “People still want relationships.” He continued, “I think people are longing for what’s authentic.” His words ring true more now than ever, in a world where people are lonelier than they’ve ever been.
As Airbnb navigates the evolving landscape of AI and user interaction, Chesky remains optimistic about the potential for technology to enhance rather than diminish human connection. He concluded with a poignant observation: “People are lonelier, they’re more divided than ever, and we think the antidote is travel and human connection.”
