A company executive at General Motors said it is exploring uses for generative artificial intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT as part of its broader collaboration with Microsoft, according to Reuters.

The chatbot could be used to access information on how to use vehicle features in an owner’s manual, program functions such as a garage door code, or integrate schedules from a calendar, said GM Vice President Scott Miller.

“This shift is not just about one single capability like the evolution of voice commands, but instead means that customers can expect their future vehicles to be far more capable and fresh overall when it comes to emerging technologies,” a GM spokesperson said.

GM was working on a virtual personal assistant that uses AI models behind ChatGPT, according to the website Semafor.

Microsoft said earlier this year that it is making a multi-billion-dollar investment in ChatGPT-owner OpenAI and aims to add the chatbot’s technology into all its products.

Microsoft has been increasing its efforts to embed more technology in vehicles, such as infotainment systems, automated driving, and operating systems that control battery performance and multiple other functions of a vehicle.

In 2021, GM partnered with Microsoft to accelerate the commercialization of driverless vehicles.

SoundHound Introduces In-Vehicle Voice Assistant

SoundHound, a major supplier of voice recognition systems used by several automakers, will be offering its new product, SoundHound Chat AI for Automotive, which works with generative AI platforms.

SoundHound Chat AI for Automotive can provide detailed answers to navigation-related questions. Besides getting directions that built-in navigation systems provide, a driver can request something more nuanced, such as getting information on the most scenic route or a list of five-star restaurants with more than 100 reviews along the way.

SoundHound’s system acts as an arbiter between the user and ChatGPT to help avoid incorrect or biased responses. It partly fine-tunes the question to increase the probability of getting a more relevant answer and is designed to be updated to work with additional generative AI systems being developed.

SoundHound hasn’t announced the automaker that will use it first. SoundHound COO Mike Zagorsek said that a survey found that 50% of drivers said they would be likely to use it. “We will absolutely see it become available within 12 months,” he said.

Fullpath Unveils AI Tool for Auto Dealers

Customer data and experience platform Fullpath has launched AI-powered Chat-GPT4, tailored specifically for automotive dealerships through APIs and data connectivity.

Fullpath’s Chat-GPT4 aims to improve the online vehicle shopping experience and customer relations management for dealerships.

With Chat-GPT4, shoppers can ask dealer-specific questions such as, “What is the best car available for a family of five for $22,000 or less?” or “My car broke down. How can you help?” The AI is trained to combine the information on the Internet with the proprietary Fullpath data layer so it can identify specific shoppers in the dealership’s database.

Fullpath says more than 500 North American dealerships have already signed up for the waitlist to use Fullpath’s Chat-GPT4 system.

Will Tesla Have its ‘ChatGPT moment’?

After an annual shareholder meeting, Tesla CEO Elon Musk told CNBC, “I think Tesla will have sort of ChatGPT moment maybe if not this year, I’d say no later than next year.”

In the time frame when a truly autonomous driving technology could be introduced to Tesla vehicles, “suddenly 3 million cars will be able to drive themselves with no one, and then 5 million cars, and then 10 million cars,” he said.