Expedia Group is expanding its artificial intelligence leadership structure, with new job listings indicating a shift toward more formal governance and execution of AI initiatives. The company is currently recruiting two director-level positions: one focused on enterprise alliances and another dedicated to artificial intelligence strategy.
The recruitment follows the appointment of Xavier Amatriain as Chief AI Officer in December. According to the role descriptions, the new positions are intended to oversee how AI efforts are coordinated, managed, and implemented across the organisation, rather than concentrating on the development of AI technology itself.
In a LinkedIn post, Clayton Nelson, Expedia Group’s Vice President of Enterprise Alliances and AI, stated that the team will operate at the centre of the company’s highest-priority initiatives. The roles emphasise cross-functional coordination, execution, and measurable business outcomes, with responsibilities spanning product, technology, analytics, finance, and supply teams.
The hiring aligns with Expedia’s recent approach to artificial intelligence, which has included partnerships with major technology and AI platforms as travellers increasingly engage with non-traditional channels for trip planning and discovery. Nelson said the company accelerated these partnership efforts in 2025 and is now establishing a dedicated team to deepen collaboration with large technology providers, particularly around agentic AI.
Within the wider travel sector, companies are adopting different organisational models for AI. Expedia Group and Booking Holdings have focused on partnerships, while Airbnb has prioritised in-house development. Expedia’s latest hiring activity signals a move to treat AI as a core operating function supported by defined management structures.
