Volkswagen, the world’s largest carmaker, has announced that it will launch a new artificial intelligence (AI) lab to develop new digital products and features for its vehicles and customers. The new AI lab will collaborate with tech companies from different regions, such as China, North America, and Europe, to create innovative prototypes using AI. The new AI lab will not be part of Volkswagen’s software division Cariad, but will operate independently and report directly to the Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume.
What is the purpose and scope of the new AI lab?
The new AI lab, which will be based in Germany, will serve as a competence center and incubator for the Volkswagen Group, which includes brands such as Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche. The new AI lab will generate new product ideas that relate to AI and coordinate them internally within the Volkswagen Group. The new AI lab will also develop early-stage prototypes in collaboration with external partners and transfer them to the Group brands for implementation and testing. The new AI lab will not manufacture production models, but will focus on creating digital prototypes that can enhance the product experience and customer value.
The new AI lab will focus on four main areas of AI applications: infotainment and navigation, voice recognition, extended vehicle functions, and digital ecosystems. The new AI lab will explore how AI can improve these areas, such as by linking external digital ecosystems with the vehicle, creating AI-optimized charging cycles for electric vehicles, or improving voice chat in PC games. The new AI lab will also follow the Volkswagen Group’s preparedness framework, which aims to assess and mitigate the potential risks and misuse of AI.
Why is Volkswagen launching the new AI lab?
Volkswagen is launching the new AI lab as part of its strategy to become a leading provider of mobility solutions and digital services. Volkswagen believes that AI will play a key role in the future of mobility, as it enables new features and services, such as autonomous driving, personalized marketing, and predictive maintenance. Volkswagen also wants to leverage the opportunities and innovations that the electric vehicle revolution will bring, and to support its customers and employees through the transition.
Volkswagen is also launching the new AI lab to accelerate its digital transformation and innovation capabilities. Volkswagen wants to collaborate with tech companies from different regions, such as China, North America, and Europe, to access their expertise and resources, and to create synergies and partnerships. Volkswagen also wants to operate the new AI lab independently from its software division Cariad, which has been facing challenges and delays in developing and delivering new software architectures and platforms. Volkswagen hopes that the new AI lab will be more agile and flexible, and will be able to deliver faster and better results.
How will the new AI lab benefit Volkswagen and its customers?
The new AI lab will benefit Volkswagen and its customers in several ways, such as:
- The new AI lab will create new digital products and features that can enhance the product experience and customer value. The new AI lab will develop innovative prototypes using AI that can improve the infotainment and navigation, voice recognition, extended vehicle functions, and digital ecosystems of the vehicles and customers. The new AI lab will also test and implement these prototypes in collaboration with the Group brands, and will ensure that they meet the quality and safety standards of the Volkswagen Group.
- The new AI lab will boost Volkswagen’s competitiveness and innovation potential in the global market. The new AI lab will collaborate with tech companies from different regions, such as China, North America, and Europe, to access their expertise and resources, and to create synergies and partnerships. The new AI lab will also operate independently from the software division Cariad, which will allow it to be more agile and flexible, and to deliver faster and better results. The new AI lab will also follow the Volkswagen Group’s preparedness framework, which will help it to assess and mitigate the potential risks and misuse of AI.
- The new AI lab will support Volkswagen’s transition to electric mobility and digital services. The new AI lab will leverage the opportunities and innovations that the electric vehicle revolution will bring, and will develop new digital products and features that can optimize the performance and efficiency of electric vehicles, such as AI-optimized charging cycles. The new AI lab will also support Volkswagen’s customers and employees through the transition, and will provide them with new features and services that can improve their convenience and satisfaction.
