GM's practical approach to AI

While tech companies tout chatbots and humanoids, General Motors is using artificial intelligence in less glamorous but more practical ways to make better cars and smoother-running factories.

Why it matters: GM's AI strategy is less about sci-fi and more about wringing efficiency, safety and quality from its massive industrial footprint.

Driving the news: David Richardson, GM's senior vice president of software and service engineering, laid out the automaker's vision for AI in an exclusive interview with Axios.

• He joined GM from Apple in 2023 and is now assembling an ambitious AI organization, led by Silicon Valley veterans like chief AI officer Barak Turovsky and John Anderson, head of AI research.

What he's saying: Richardson is bullish on AI in the auto sector, but believes there's too much hype, especially about humanoid robots.

• GM co-developed a humanoid robot with NASA years ago, and it flew to the International Space Station in 2011.
• But that doesn't mean it wants humanoids operating in its factories any time soon.
• "I don't want to say it's never going to happen," he said. "I think it's very early, and I do think there's a question as to what is the overall value you get from that?"
• "Right now, our vision is we want to use AI to actually drive real ROI for the business, as well as develop consumer-facing products that people actually need and they actually want."

GM is training AI "cobots" — robots that work alongside humans to assist with jobs that are dull, dirty or dangerous — so workers can do less strenuous tasks and focus on craftsmanship, he said.

• "We've got so much proprietary data around how to do manufacturing," he said, "and that's like a treasure trove of data for us to train AI to do that."
• When building new production lines, for example, GM uses AI to create a digital twin of the manufacturing process to spot bottlenecks or safety issues in the virtual world before building the real thing.
• GM factories are also using AI vision systems to detect paint imperfections or welding defects, painstaking work that used to be done manually.

• AI also helps with predictive maintenance to avoid, say, a costly shutdown of a production line.

Beyond manufacturing, GM is deploying AI where it can have an immediate effect on productivity and profits.

• In vehicle design, for example, AI helps engineers quickly optimize things like vehicle aerodynamics, saving time and money.
• Another AI tool enables GM to detect voltage anomalies in battery packs before they make their way into an EV.

The intrigue: More than 15% of the software code GM develops is now done using AI-assisted tools. AI has helped GM catch 10x more software bugs, far earlier in the development cycle.

🏎️ 1 fun thing: GM is even using AI tools in motorsports to try to win more NASCAR and IndyCar races — and starting next year, Formula 1 races, too.

The bottom line: GM's strategy is a reminder not to overlook the practical side of artificial intelligence.