Airbnb poaches former Meta GenAI leader to be new technology chief (www.cnbc.com)

Airbnb has appointed Ahmad Al-Dahle, formerly the head of Meta's GenAI division, as its new technology chief, marking a significant shift in the company's strategic direction. Al-Dahle replaces Ari Balogh, who stepped down last December after over seven years. This move aligns with Airbnb's goal to expand its offerings beyond short-term rentals, a transformation that aims to enhance user experience by integrating advanced AI technologies. CEO Brian Chesky highlighted Al-Dahle's ability to connect high-level ideas with technical insights and his belief in making engineering a strategic partner. Al-Dahle's prior experience at Meta, where he managed AI product development following setbacks with the Llama 4 model, underscores his capability to drive innovation in AI implementations. Both Chesky and Al-Dahle emphasize that technology should ultimately serve to facilitate human connection, which may lead to the integration of tools like ChatGPT to improve user engagement. This leadership change is not just about refocusing Airbnb's mission but also reflects broader trends within the tech industry, where the application of AI is increasingly seen as a means to enhance customer interactions and expand service functionalities.