The acquisition brings Davidson to OpenAI as the company explores AI-powered travel assistance, although no new travel-specific products have been announced.
OpenAI has acquired Odessia, an artificial intelligence-powered travel startup founded by former Sonder CEO Francis Davidson, as the ChatGPT developer explores opportunities in AI-assisted travel planning. The acquisition was announced by Davidson on November 10, 2026, with OpenAI confirming that he has joined the company.
Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. The deal appears to be primarily focused on acquiring talent, although OpenAI has not formally characterised it as an acqui-hire.
Davidson confirmed that he is now working at OpenAI, where he will contribute to the company's work on the future of travel. The acquisition follows Odessia's development of an AI travel agent designed to assist users with planning trips.
Founded approximately a year ago, Odessia had raised $6 million in pre-seed funding led by Sequoia. The startup introduced its AI-powered travel assistant around five months before the acquisition.
According to Davidson, the platform helped early users plan travel worth millions of dollars. However, the Odessia service has since been discontinued following the acquisition.
Davidson also highlighted his experience developing the platform using teams of AI agents, reflecting an approach in which artificial intelligence systems assist with different stages of software development and operations.
An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed Davidson's appointment, describing him as an experienced founder who has previously developed businesses focused on travel services.
The company has not disclosed whether Odessia's underlying technology will be incorporated into ChatGPT or introduced through a separate product.
OpenAI already has commercial relationships with travel companies, including Booking.com, Expedia and KAYAK. Travel planning is also among the use cases the company has previously identified for its AI-powered assistants.
When OpenAI introduced its ChatGPT agent in July 2025, it highlighted travel-related activities as one of the areas where AI could assist users with completing tasks.
The company said approximately 1.2 billion people use ChatGPT each week for everyday activities, including planning trips, managing budgets and seeking information.
Davidson previously founded Sonder in 2014 while studying at university. The company operated short-term accommodation rentals, primarily offering furnished apartments in major cities.
Sonder subsequently expanded internationally and went public through a special purpose acquisition company. However, the business faced financial difficulties following the pandemic and later entered bankruptcy after the breakdown of a partnership with Marriott.
Davidson stepped down as Sonder's CEO in June 2025.
The acquisition brings his experience in travel technology and AI product development to OpenAI as the company continues expanding the capabilities of its consumer-facing AI systems.
While the transaction indicates continued interest in travel-related applications, OpenAI has not announced a launch timeline or specific plans for a new travel service.
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