Expedia Group has appointed Xavier Amatriain as its first Chief AI and Data Officer. Amatriain will lead the company’s AI and Data organization, guiding the long-term strategy for AI and machine learning (ML), and determining how advanced ML, generative AI, and data science can generate business value at scale.

Reporting directly to Ramana Thumu and based in San Jose, California, Amatriain will set the company’s long-term AI and ML vision, working closely with teams across Product, Marketing, Finance, B2B, strategic partnerships, and other business units to drive AI-first innovation and deliver measurable value across Expedia Group.

With over 20 years of experience in developing and scaling advanced AI systems, Amatriain joins Expedia Group from Google, where he most recently served as VP of AI and Compute Enablement. At Google, he led teams responsible for the core AI platforms and infrastructure that power products including Gemini, Cloud, Search, and Ads. He previously held senior roles at LinkedIn and Netflix and has mentored individuals who went on to launch notable AI companies such as Perplexity and Scale AI.

Ramana Thumu, Chief Technology Officer at Expedia Group, said, “We’re thrilled to have Xavier join our team. His extensive experience in building large-scale AI platforms will help redefine how people experience travel. Expedia Group operates at a scale few companies can match, and we provide our technologists the resources to experiment, learn, and push the boundaries of AI — turning complex problems into meaningful impact for millions of travelers.”

Amatriain added, “AI is entering a new era with generative, agentic, and adaptive technologies that are reshaping how we explore the world. Expedia Group is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. I’m excited to join the team and contribute to building travel experiences that are smarter, more intuitive, and transformative for millions of travelers.”