Artificial Intelligence (AI) is what all the cool kids are talking about these days, and it’s something to consider when buying a car. Following this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES), it’s time we examine AI’s impact on cars and their infotainment systems. Some of the technological advances are positively eye-popping.
We’ll start with a quick review of artificial intelligence, followed by some of the more interesting AI automotive developments and what to expect in the near future. We’ve added jump links so you can skip ahead if you like.
According to IBM, AI is technology enabling computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and autonomy. In other words, AI infuses computers with the power to perform tasks requiring human intelligence through the use of data, algorithms, and adaptive learning.
Through logic and repetition, AI certainly has the capacity to problem-solve more quickly and reliably than the human brain. However, despite having the capability of learning as it goes, AI can’t duplicate human emotion and imagination.
Presently, AI isn’t self-aware. That is, it doesn’t recognize its place in the world. Will its capacity to learn and evolve ever greater intelligence lead to some sort of consciousness? Most experts assert that AI will restrict itself only to whatever specific tasks it is assigned. To date, no one has figured out how to program emotions or consciousness into a computer.
CNET describes the current enthusiasm for artificial intelligence as the “AI Gold Rush,” and it certainly is that. Although we often haven’t affixed the AI label to it, most advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies have ties to AI. Furthermore, the driverless cars of tomorrow will require AI to operate effectively and safely. From voice-activated personal assistants to negotiating busy urban streets without human supervision, AI is totally revolutionizing how we interact with our cars.
Although, primarily because of regulatory entanglements and liability issues, our streets being packed only with driverless vehicles whizzing all about is likely still a decade or more away. Yet, for all intents and purposes, the technology making such a thing possible is mostly developed.
However, there is much more to AI than shouldering the burden of driving the car. AI will be able to not only evaluate your car’s health, delving into the deepest recesses of its systems to sus out current as well as potential problems, but it will also monitor the driver’s health. Moreover, in what is called “contextual technology,” AI will translate repeated driver behavior into personalizing the driver experience. For example, Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX system, which stands for Mercedes-Benz User Experience, can already recognize behavior patterns, using this ability to remind you it’s nearly time to pick up the kids at school or some other repeated routine.
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As vehicles become more computerized and AI-oriented, the term software-defined vehicles (SDV) is gaining traction. It was a buzzword at this year’s CES. An SDV assumes the characteristics of smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices capable of receiving revisions and refinements via over-the-air (OTA) updates. It has never been more true that today’s cars are rolling computers with software that keeps the wheels turning.
Automotive is a growing category at the annual Customer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year, three noteworthy AI technologies were highlighted there.
ASIMO OS is an in-house-developed system that will be the operating system (OS) for Honda’s new O Series electric vehicle (EV) models in 2026. It will bring integrated management across the vehicle’s platform and oversee the electronic control units (ECUs) for systems, including automated driving, driver assistance, and infotainment.
If ASIMO sounds familiar, it was the name of the humanoid robot Honda introduced in 2000 that was capable of walking.
Over the next two years, we’ll see a dramatic increase in the availability of Level 3 autonomous driving. Despite claims to the contrary, today’s most advanced-sounding driver-assistance systems, like GM’s Super Cruise, Ford’s BlueCruise, Tesla Autopilot, and others, are Level 2 Autonomous. Level 2 turns the acceleration, steering, and braking control over to the car under certain conditions, but the driver must keep their eyes on the road. You can learn more about the six levels of autonomous driving by reading our article: Self-Driving Cars: Everything You Need To Know.
Level 3 allows you to take both your hands and eyes off the road under certain conditions and at designated speeds. AI makes Level 3 possible. At the beginning of 2025, only Mercedes-Benz markets cars in the United States with Level 3 capability and then only on limited roads in California and Nevada. BMW currently provides its Personal Pilot Level 3 system in some models in Germany but predicts Level 3 in U.S. models in 2025. Honda has had its Sensing Elite Level 3 capability in some of its Honda Legend models in Japan since 2021. However, more carmakers will have Level 3 available on U.S. roadways in the next several months:
Although the term may not be familiar, a large language model is the artificial intelligence responsible for crunching mountains of data to understand and generate text as a human does to respond to questions and organize information, including in a car as with Google Assistant. When typing text, the program offers suggestions for completing the sentence, which is a product of its large language model. ChatGPT is a solid example. Large language models constantly evolve, improving their ability to communicate more naturally. We expect that trend to continue, including in vehicles.
Powered by a large language model, Google Assistant can be found on many car models. For example, it is the virtual personal assistant in the GMC Sierra EV truck. Google Assistant can perform various functions through voice commands, freeing the driver to concentrate on the road. Some of those functions:
AI opens the door to more complex, entertaining, and informative user interfaces. Larger touchscreens, multi-screen displays, and enhanced head-up displays are how we will receive information going forward. Among the newer AI-influenced systems:
AI isn’t a regional phenomenon; however, AI can develop differently because of local culture and regulations.
For the American consumer, AI development is focused on easing driver stress and enriching the passenger environment. Although some adaptive cruise control systems provide automatic adjustments to reflect changing speed limits, thus far, adhering to posted speed limits isn’t an AI mandate in this country.
However, in the European Union, maintaining posted speed limits is a core goal of AI driver-assist technology. Intelligent speed assistance (ISA), depending on the ISA system, will issue a warning, apply brake pressure, or reduce engine power when the speed limit is exceeded. In fact, by law, beginning in July 2024, the European Union mandated that manufacturers equip every new car with an ISA system.
Unlike the U.S., where each state has its own automotive requirements in addition to federal regulations, China has a single, top-down regulatory structure. Consequently, AI driver-assistance systems are advancing at a somewhat quicker pace there. Carmakers like XPeng and Huawei have developed AI systems that more closely mimic human driving behaviors, exceeding the capabilities of those currently offered in the U.S. market.
One of AI’s attractive features is its transparency. Like the air we breathe, it’s there, but most of us don’t give it much thought. Unless you are a techie, you probably aren’t going to base a car-buying decision on a vehicle’s level of AI proliferation. But if AI proficiency is important to you, we’ve provided some things to look for.
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AI-enhanced car technology is advancing at a blistering pace. It has the potential to make driving less stressful, safer, and more entertaining. It’s probably capable of things we have yet to realize. However, we’ve reached the point at which it’s no longer whether a new model car features AI but how much AI it has.
