The German carmaker Volkswagen announced on Wednesday that it has set up its own artificial intelligence lab, a move that reflects the industry’s growing desire to embrace the trendy technology.
Volkswagen announced in a news release that its new AI lab will function as a “globally networked competence center and incubator” to generate proofs of concept in the field of technology related to advancements in the automotive industry.
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Research and development centers for artificial intelligence advancements are known as AI laboratories. These kind of labs are frequently seen at OpenAI, which Microsoft has funded with billions of dollars, and DeepMind at Google, which the Alphabet-owned internet behemoth purchased in 2014.
Volkswagen’s AI Integration for Smarter Cars
Volkswagen promised to integrate AI advancements from its lab into its own cars to make them smarter.
“We aim to use artificial intelligence to provide our customers with real additional value. According to Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group and Porsche AG, “We aim to link external digital ecosystems with the vehicle, creating an even better product experience.”
Working together with IT firms is really important to us. Our goal is to streamline cooperation on an organizational and cultural level going forward.
Volkswagen has no plans to produce any production models of its own, but it will speak with partners about licensing its in-house AI technology to be used in their cars. Volkswagen did not mention any possible collaborators.
The automaker stated that the lab is working on AI solutions related to predictive maintenance for automobiles, electric vehicle charging optimization, and connecting vehicles to customers’ homes via internet-connected gadgets.
Additionally, the business declared that it will investigate using AI to enable voice recognition in cars.
⚠️ VOLKSWAGEN FOUNDS AI LAB, IN TALKS WITH POTENTIAL PARTNERS (Reuters)
— PiQ (@PiQSuite) January 31, 2024
Volkswagen is in talks with international technology firms about collaborating to create new digital prototypes for products and features using artificial intelligence, the carmaker said on Wednesday.… pic.twitter.com/oOX1GAVctJ
The news is made at a time when other automakers are investing extensively in artificial intelligence to strengthen their position in the technology space and provide smarter vehicles.
Late last year, ChatGPT was first incorporated into cars made by French automaker DS Automobiles. As early as June 2023, Microsoft and Mercedes-Benz began testing in-car ChatGPT support. To better compete with rivals on cutting-edge technologies like automated parking, Chinese electric vehicle company BYD unveiled a smart car system driven by artificial intelligence.
Lowering dependence on internet giants
Volkswagen’s announcement of its AI lab mirrored the goal of well-known IT businesses who have invested in or founded their own AI research divisions. By making the change, Volkswagen may become less dependent on outside AI software from internet behemoths like Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon and become more autonomous.
During the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Volkswagen most recently announced that it will include ChatGPT into its vehicles, further extending its AI efforts. Rather than counting only on its own proprietary technologies, the automaker was also using OpenAI as a technological partner.
Volkswagen will be in control of its own artificial intelligence destiny by setting up an AI lab, albeit it will have a difficult time competing with the quality of technology emerging from research facilities that are already well developed, such as OpenAI.
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