Key Takeaways
- Airbnb has appointed Ahmad Al-Dahle as its new Chief Technology Officer
- Ahmad Al-Dahle is a leading expert in AI, joining from Meta where he led Generative AI and the team behind the Llama family of open source models
- He brings a wealth of experience in technology and AI, having worked at Apple on the iPhone and self-driving car project, and at Meta on mapping and applied AI
- Airbnb sees this appointment as a pivotal moment, with technology shaping people’s lives and the company aiming to use AI to strengthen human connection and draw people into the physical world
Introduction to Ahmad Al-Dahle
Airbnb Co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky has announced the appointment of Ahmad Al-Dahle as the company’s new Chief Technology Officer. Ahmad is one of the world’s leading experts in AI, with a background that includes leading Generative AI and the team behind the Llama family of open source models at Meta. Brian Chesky has known Ahmad for a couple of years and is excited to share more about who he is and why he is the right leader to join Airbnb at this pivotal moment. Ahmad’s interest in computers and programming began at a young age, growing up in Winnipeg, Canada, where he would often stay inside playing video games with his friends.
Ahmad’s Background and Experience
Ahmad’s experience in technology is extensive, having studied engineering at the University of Waterloo and begun working at Apple on the iPhone in 2005, two years before it launched. He later worked in Apple’s core technology platform group, shipping major features in nearly a dozen devices, including the first Apple Watch. 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, he joined Meta to lead mapping and applied AI within Reality Labs, and in early 2023, he founded Meta’s Generative AI group, leading the launch of Llama, a family of open-source AI models downloaded over one billion times.
Airbnb’s Vision and Mission
Airbnb sees Ahmad’s appointment as a pivotal moment, with technology shaping people’s lives in ways they never fully intended. The company believes that people are craving what’s real, including real connection with real people in the real world. Airbnb is positioned to meet this need, with a rare opportunity and responsibility to shape how people travel, live, and interact with AI in a way that strengthens human connection and draws people into the physical world, not away from it. This requires leadership that understands both the power of technology and how to responsibly use it, which is why Ahmad’s decision to join Airbnb matters.
The Future of Airbnb and AI
Ahmad’s appointment is a significant step for Airbnb, as the company aims to use AI to enhance the user experience and strengthen human connection. With Ahmad’s expertise in AI and his experience in leading teams and developing new technologies, Airbnb is well-positioned to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. The company’s vision is to create a world where technology serves people, not the other way around, and where AI is used to bring people closer together, rather than driving them apart. With Ahmad on board, Airbnb is excited to build a future that is more human, and where technology is used to enhance and augment human experience, rather than replacing it.
Conclusion and Welcome
Brian Chesky is excited to welcome Ahmad to Airbnb and is looking forward to introducing him to the team tomorrow during the World@ meeting. He encourages everyone to join him in giving Ahmad a warm welcome and is excited to see what the future holds for the company with Ahmad on board. With Ahmad’s expertise and experience, Airbnb is poised to make a significant impact in the world of AI and to create a more human experience for its users. The company is committed to using technology to strengthen human connection and to draw people into the physical world, and with Ahmad’s leadership, it is well-positioned to achieve this goal.
