Marill, joining from Airbnb, where he held a similar leadership role, will oversee operations across the region and will be based in Paris.

The appointment gives OpenAI a senior executive focused solely on a region where demand for its products is increasing, but where political and business issues about dependence on American technology are also growing.

Emmanuel Marill will report to Jason Kwon, chief strategy officer at OpenAI.

“As demand for ChatGPT and Codex continues to grow rapidly all over the world, we are investing significantly in our international leadership and operations,” Kwon said in a statement.

OpenAI has been aiming to win more paying business customers as it faces the high cost of developing new artificial intelligence systems. Europe is an important market, although some officials and company leaders have urged stronger support for home-grown technology firms.

French startup Mistral AI has positioned itself as a European alternative to major US companies such as OpenAI.

At the same time, OpenAI is still reviewing parts of its infrastructure plans in the region. Earlier this month, the company paused its Stargate data centre project in the United Kingdom, citing regulation and energy costs.

Microsoft, one of OpenAI’s biggest backers, later agreed to rent data centre capacity in Norway that had originally been linked to the project. OpenAI said it is still exploring a separate computing agreement there.

Marill will also lead the company’s efforts in the Middle East, where OpenAI has invested heavily, especially in the United Arab Emirates.

Its partner in the country, G42, recently said plans for a large data centre project is still on track despite tensions linked to the US conflict with Iran.

OpenAI has also signed agreements with businesses in banking, pharmaceuticals and media across Europe. It has worked with governments in Germany, Greece and Ireland, while also planning to increase staff numbers in London.

The company said in February that business subscriptions across Europe, the Middle East and Africa had grown sevenfold over the previous year, though it did not disclose revenue for the region.

Globally, Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar has said OpenAI’s annualised revenue exceeded $20 billion last year.

Guests can cancel reservations under eligible properties without losing money at the time of booking.

The option was first tested in the U.S. last year for domestic travel. Only properties with a “flexible” or “moderate” cancellation policy qualify.

With this feature, users are charged closer to check-in rather than when they make the booking.

Airbnb said it mirrors the “buy now, pay later” trend popular in e-commerce, making travel more accessible by spreading costs over time. Since its U.S. launch, 70% of eligible bookings used the feature.

Ellie Mertz, Airbnb’s CFO, discussed the product during the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call.

“Reserve Now, Pay Later saw significant adoption among eligible guests in Q4. It’s also led to longer booking lead times and a mix shift towards larger entire homes, especially those with four or more bedrooms, contributing to the increase in average daily rate,” she said.

Mertz noted that the platform’s cancellation rate rose slightly from 16% to 17% during the quarter. It was higher among customers using the pay-later option, though she said this was “not hugely material relative to the broader cancellations on the platform.”

Airbnb has been testing deferred payment options for years. In 2018, it allowed guests to pay 20% or 50% upfront, with the remainder due later. In 2023, the company partnered with Klarna to let users split payments into four instalments over six weeks.

A survey conducted by Airbnb and Focaldata found 60% of U.S. travellers considered flexible payment important, and 55% would use it when booking a holiday.

The Q4 2025 earnings report showed Airbnb’s revenue reached $2.78 billion, up 12% year-on-year. Gross booking value rose 16% to $20.4 billion, marking the company’s strongest quarter in two years.

Nights and experiences booked increased 10% to 121.9 million. Net income fell to $341 million from $461 million, revealing higher spending on product expansion including the new pay-later feature.

Property managers have reacted differently to the Airbnb “Reserve Now, Pay Later” rollout. Some worry about empty nights if guests cancel late.

Others see it as a way to stay competitive with online travel agencies like Booking.com and Expedia, which already offer flexible payments.

The feature now covers both domestic and international trips, expanding Airbnb’s reach beyond the U.S. pilot program launched in August 2025.

It is often associated with the rise of technology and platforms that enable people to connect and exchange services. In this type of economy, individuals work as independent contractors, offering their services to businesses and customers through online platforms or apps. The gig economy has been growing rapidly over the past decade, with millions of people participating in various forms of freelance work.

One of the most significant benefits of the gig economy is the ability to work from anywhere. With the rise of remote work and digital nomadism, people can now work from the comfort of their own home or from a location of their choice. This has led to a significant shift in the way that people view work and has enabled more people to achieve a better work-life balance.

Successful Gig Economy Startups:

There are many successful gig economy startups, and they have disrupted traditional industries by offering new and innovative ways of connecting people with services. Here are a few examples:

Uber

Uber is one of the most well-known gig economy startups. It offers ride-sharing services through a smartphone app, connecting drivers with passengers. The company has disrupted the traditional taxi industry and has expanded into other areas, such as food delivery.

Airbnb

Airbnb is another popular gig economy startup that has disrupted the hotel industry. It offers a platform for people to rent out their homes or apartments to travelers, often at a lower cost than traditional hotels.

Upwork

Upwork is a freelancing platform that connects businesses with freelancers for various types of projects, such as writing, web design, and marketing. It has disrupted the traditional employment model by allowing businesses to hire freelancers on a project-by-project basis, rather than full-time.

TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit is a platform that connects people with local freelancers who can help with various tasks, such as cleaning, handyman work, and moving. It has disrupted the traditional home services industry by offering a more flexible and affordable option for people who need help with tasks.

Industries Disrupted by the Gig Economy:

Transportation

The transportation industry has been disrupted by ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft, which offer a more affordable and convenient alternative to traditional taxis. These companies have also created new job opportunities for drivers who can work on their own schedule.

Hospitality

The hotel industry has been disrupted by platforms such as Airbnb, which allow people to rent out their homes or apartments to travelers. Airbnb offers a more affordable and unique experience for travelers, while also creating new revenue streams for hosts.

Home Services

The home services industry has been disrupted by platforms such as TaskRabbit, which connect people with local freelancers who can help with various tasks. These platforms offer a more affordable and flexible option for people who need help with tasks such as cleaning, handyman work, and moving.

Freelance Work

The freelance work industry has been disrupted by platforms such as Upwork, which connect businesses with freelancers for various types of projects. These platforms offer businesses a more flexible and affordable option for hiring freelancers, and they also create new job opportunities for freelancers who can work on a project-by-project basis.

However, the gig economy is not without its challenges. Freelancers and independent contractors often do not have access to traditional benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. This can make it difficult for them to save for the future and can put them at a disadvantage compared to traditional employees.

Another challenge of the gig economy is the lack of job security. Freelancers and independent contractors are not guaranteed steady work, and their income can be unpredictable. This can create financial stress and make it difficult to plan for the future.

Despite these challenges, the gig economy is here to stay. It has disrupted traditional industries and created new opportunities for both businesses and individuals. With the rise of technology and the increasing demand for flexible work arrangements, the gig economy will likely continue to grow and evolve in the years to come.