Airbnb’s New CTO Is Former Meta AI Chief and Apple Engineer

Airbnb has appointed Ahmad Al-Dahle, a former Meta executive who led generative AI initiatives, as its new chief technology officer. The hire supports Airbnb’s growing investment in AI and personalization, as the company looks to enhance its platform and user experience throughout the year.

Ahmad Al-Dahle's background: From Apple to Meta

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said it best in his email to employees.

"At Apple, Ahmad worked on the frontier of technology. [...] In 2014, Ahmad created and led Apple’s autonomous technology group, responsible for developing the core AI systems for the company’s self-driving car project.”

In 2020, Ahmad joined Meta to lead mapping and applied AI within Reality Labs. In early 2023, following the launch of ChatGPT, he founded Meta’s Generative AI group. He led the launch of Llama, a family of open-source AI models downloaded over one billion times with more than 60,000 derivative models, helping catalyze the modern open-source AI movement. He also led the teams bringing AI features to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp."

Expansion beyond rentals

The leadership change comes as Airbnb moves beyond its traditional short-term rental model. In 2025, the company expanded into local services and curated experiences, adding new travel-related activities designed to drive engagement and unlock additional growth opportunities.

Airbnb is also testing hotel bookings in major cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Madrid. The company plans to focus on small, independent, and boutique hotels, particularly in destinations where the supply of home rentals is not sufficient to meet traveler demand.

Technical updates and new features

In October 2025, Airbnb launched a series of new app updates, including social tools. Travelers can now message each other directly within the app and see people they have met during past trips and activities.

Search functionality was also expanded. Guests now see broader search suggestions, including nearby neighborhoods, alternative amenities, and different price ranges. These changes help users discover relevant options they may have overlooked when using strict filters.

Airbnb also upgraded its map interface, allowing users to tap on nearby landmarks and attractions to better understand distances before or after booking.

In addition, the company’s AI-powered assistant now supports English, Spanish, and French across the US, Mexico, and Canada, improving accessibility and customer support in key markets.

Photo by Ales Nesetril on Unsplash