Airbnb Uses “anti-party technology” to Curb Holiday Weekend Parties

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --  As travelers make last minute plans for Memorial Day weekend, Airbnb is stepping up efforts to prevent disruptive parties, and it’s using artificial intelligence to do it.

The move follows a shooting last month at a short-term rental property on Grape Road in Granger, where more than 20 gunshots were fired during a party believed to involve around 50 people. The incident has heightened concerns about safety around short term rentals in residential neighborhoods.

Airbnb confirms it's using AI technology to detect and block bookings that raise red flags. Hoping to stop unauthorized parties before they start.

The company’s AI system evaluates several factors to determine whether a booking poses a party risk. These include:

• Length of stay

• Time and day of the booking

• How far the guest lives from the rental

• Type of property

For example, a one night stay over a holiday weekend by a local guest is more likely to be flagged and potentially blocked.

Building off the company’s party ban enacted in 2020, since then, the company says only 0.06% of bookings have resulted in party related allegations.

“That has led to a 46% drop in the rate of party reports,” said Airbnb spokesperson Emilie Simons. “Just last year, during major summer holidays, the technology helped prevent nearly 1,400 high-risk bookings in Indiana and Michigan, including the South Bend area.”

While some critics argue the system could unfairly affect younger renters or those with limited booking histories, Airbnb says it's continually refining its process to strike a balance between access and safety.

The company also works year-round with local governments and law enforcement to respond to party-related complaints. Hosts have the option to add even more safeguards, such as noise monitoring devices.

Residents near the Grape Road property say they’re hopeful these changes will help restore peace of mind in residential areas, especially as summer tourism and Notre Dame football season ramp up.