Barry Diller Says AI Is Ending Google’s Search Monopoly

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes the travel landscape, Barry Diller, chairman and senior executive of IAC and Expedia Group, believes the industry has little to fear.

“One thing I guarantee you, travel cannot be disintermediated,” Diller said during an executive interview at The Phocuswright Conference.

He argued that AI is beginning to erode Google’s long-standing dominance in search. “We have all lived in the monopoly of Google. They are a complete monopoly in search. They have been, to almost this day,” he said.

“Now that AI has a chance, that search monopoly experience of Google is going to end. What its consequences are to Google, I can’t say. They’re a giant company with many businesses,” he added, noting that YouTube is increasingly becoming “internet television.”

Diller emphasized that the shift should be seen as an opportunity for the travel industry. “For all of us who’ve been serfs in the land of Google, as Google has increasingly taken share of the whole page, this is ending — and it is all of our opportunity.”

Returning to The Phocuswright Conference stage after two decades, Diller also reflected on his portfolio, career, philanthropy and the enduring resilience of travel. He encouraged entrepreneurs to act on their ambitions rather than delay.

“If you’ve got that yearn in you, that bug, at some point, grab it—because every year that you don’t, you’ll feel like you missed your moment. It would be a life of regret,” he said.

Tags: phocuswire

Barry Diller Says AI Is Ending Google’s Search Monopoly

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