Airbnb has reported that 60% of the code its engineers produced in Q1 2026 was written by artificial intelligence. This shift reflects a broader trend among tech companies, with Google, Microsoft and Spotify also reporting significant AI contributions.

CEO Brian Chesky highlighted how AI helps build tools for API partners, reducing the need for large teams of engineers. The company’s customer support AI bot now handles 40% of issues without needing escalation to a human agent, up from about 33% in previous months.

Airbnb is also experimenting with using AI to power its search function. However, Chesky acknowledged the challenges in applying AI tools effectively in travel and e-commerce, citing issues such as too much text, lack of direct manipulation, poor comparison features and multiplayer booking difficulties.

In financial terms, Airbnb reported a 3.9% rise in net income to $160 million and an 18% increase in revenue to $2.7 billion for the first quarter. Nights booked increased by 9% to 156.2 million during this period, with its “Reserve now, pay later” feature contributing almost 20% of gross booking value.