General Motors’ chief software engineering executive, David Richardson, says the company is not attempting to emulate Apple or Google, despite recent trends that might indicate otherwise.
GM has signed multiple agreements with leading technology companies over the past eight months to establish a specialized AI center in Mountain View, California, focusing on state-of-the-art technology.
Two notable appointments have been made, with Barak Turovsky, who previously served as the product chief for Google AI languages and is now the initial GM AI director, and John Anderson, a former Google machine learning researcher and Pixar veteran, who is currently the executive director of AI research at the assembler.
David Richardson, senior vice president of GM software and service engineering, mentioned that the competition for AI talent is challenging but ongoing. He also stated that there is a growing recognition in Silicon Valley and the tech industry of the automotive sector’s appeal. Richardson himself was a high-ranking hire from Apple in 2023.
General Motors and artificial intelligence
Many companies struggle with implementing artificial intelligence effectively in their operations.
GM can use AI in various aspects, such as integrating it into administrative tasks and implementing it in upcoming fleets of self-driving cars, production robots, and motorsport.
The team currently has less than 20 members, and the goal is to maintain a small size, Richardson stated. She is already assisting GM executives in various departments to better utilize AI.
Some of GM’s AI projects have been unsuccessful in recent years, such as the Cruise robotic program, which was abandoned in December after almost ten years of investment and an estimated $10 billion in development.
GM leadership confirmed that they are still working on creating self-driving technology for their vehicles.
Most of the self-directed tasks are overseen by Sterling Anderson, the Product Director at GM’s autonomous truck company Aurora Innovation. The new AI team is also on hand for support, particularly for more complex research matters, according to Richardson.
Richardson expects the new team to have a broader range of responsibilities beyond just autonomy, supporting the organization in various areas such as factory production and Nascar tracks.
The team will offer guidance on utilizing AI, assist various groups in forming their own AI teams, establish partnerships, and negotiate agreements with vendors.
Collaborative robots, known as cobots
Richardson is enthusiastic about a project involving the creation of cobots, or collaborative robots, that will help humans with physically demanding tasks in factory settings. This project benefits from the expertise of John Anderson, a Lucasfilm veteran and two-time Oscar winner for technical achievements.
“We possess a vast amount of intellectual property from years of manufacturing that will enable us to internally develop cobot robotics technology more effectively than relying on external sources,” stated Richardson.
GM has been striving for many years to enhance production efficiency by utilizing robots and other technologies. With plans to boost production in the US and offset the impact of tariffs imposed by President Trump, this strategy becomes increasingly vital. Tariffs imposed by the President accounted for a portion of $1.1 billion of GM’s operational profit in the second quarter.
AI team projects at the company involve introducing AI generative coding tools and working on improving wireless software updates for current vehicles. Additionally, the company is collaborating with the GM motorsport division to utilize data effectively for real-time decision-making during races, including Nascar and upcoming Formula 1 events.
“We found a project in each of the areas we support for the year 25,” Richardson noted, mentioning involvement in finance, software engineering, HR, and more.
Several team members, including Richardson, work at the Mountain View office that GM established last year but frequently travel to GM headquarters in Detroit. Executives from the Detroit office also visit California for workshops and summits, according to Richardson.
Innovation Labs
Over time, many established companies have attempted to establish dedicated innovation labs or AI centers of excellence, often situated in Silicon Valley.
Some attempts were unsuccessful as the innovation lab’s focus and culture did not match the organization’s overall objectives, leading to mixed results.
Richardson did not observe any indication of cultural clash between the Silicon Valley AI experts and the long-standing employees in Detroit, where the company has been based for more than a hundred years. He mentioned that his team is not aiming to transform GM into a technology firm.
Our role as technologists is to integrate software technology into GM’s vehicle expertise, rather than trying to imitate Apple or Google’s culture.
Translated by InvestNews.
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