Focus

Airbnb buys AI start-up from Siri founder

15 Nov 2023 03:30pm
(FILES) This illustration picture taken on November 22, 2019, shows the logo of the online lodging service Airbnb displayed on a smartphone in Paris. - Photo by AFP
(FILES) This illustration picture taken on November 22, 2019, shows the logo of the online lodging service Airbnb displayed on a smartphone in Paris. - Photo by AFP

SAN JOSE - The US-based accommodation platform Airbnb is strengthening its ambitions in artificial intelligence (AI) with the purchase of a new start-up from one of the inventors of Apple's voice assistant Siri on Tuesday, reported German news agency (dpa).

Airbnb did not disclose the purchase price, but according to the US business channel CNBC, it was just under US$200 million. It is not known exactly what the start-up Gameplanner.ai is working on - it was still in so-called "stealth mode", in which young companies operate under the radar.

But the career of founder Adam Cheyer speaks for itself. He was one of the founders of the company behind Siri, which was bought by Apple. After two years with Apple, he worked with other Siri developers on the Viv voice assistance software.

The company was bought by Samsung and became the basis for Apple's voice assistant Bixby.

Airbnb wants to use artificial intelligence to create a kind of "travel concierge" in order to personalise its offerings for users. The platform, which can be used to rent flats and houses, competes with other similar services and the hotel industry. - BERNAMA-dpa

Related Articles:
Adam Cheyer
Siri
Airbnb
More Like This
US President-elect Donald Trump is handing top roles in his future administration to a mix of allies, provocateurs and a few relatively conventional figures. - (Photo by various sources / AFP)
US President-elect Donald Trump is handing top roles in his future administration to a mix of allies, provocateurs and a few relatively conventional figures. - (Photo by various sources / AFP)
World Trump's top team: Firebrands and stalwarts
WASHINGTON - US President-elect Donald Trump is handing top roles in his future administration to a mix of allies, provocateurs and a few relatively conventional figures. Most positions require Senate approval, which brings added scrutiny. Here is who Trump has chosen so far: - Health Secretary:...
The International Criminal Court on Nov 21, 2024 issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as a Hamas' military chief. - (Photo by DEBBIE HILL / POOL / AFP)
The International Criminal Court on Nov 21, 2024 issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as a Hamas' military chief. - (Photo by DEBBIE HILL / POOL / AFP)
World ICC warrants critical step in holding Israeli leaders accountable - BDS
All States parties to the Rome Statute, including deeply complicit ones such as Germany and the UK, are now compelled to meet their duty, fully cooperating with the ICC and executing these arrest warrants.
Matt Gaetz (left), Donald Trump (centre) and Pam Bondi. Photo by AFP
Matt Gaetz (left), Donald Trump (centre) and Pam Bondi. Photo by AFP
World Trump taps loyalist Pam Bondi for attorney general after Gaetz withdraws
Gaetz's retreat amid sexual misconduct allegations signalled limits to Trump's power, even as the president-elect prepares to retake the White House with his Republican Party also in control of both chambers of Congress.
The International Criminal Court on Nov 21, 2024 issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as a Hamas' military chief. - (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI and ABIR SULTAN / AFP)
The International Criminal Court on Nov 21, 2024 issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as a Hamas' military chief. - (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI and ABIR SULTAN / AFP)
World ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, Hamas leader Deif
The ICC's pre-trial chamber accused Netanyahu and Gallant of committing "crimes against humanity and war crimes" between at least Oct 8, 2023 and May 20, 2024, the date when the prosecution submitted the arrest warrant applications.