In pursuit of a cleaner, safer and smarter transportation future, the auto industry has led the way on the development of innovative vehicle technologies and services.
Artificial intelligence is critical to these new, data-driven technologies. But, as policymakers look to regulate AI and automated decision-making, we must remain focused on a policy and regulatory environment that allows America to remain the global leader in personal mobility and automotive innovation.
The auto industry has always embraced and incorporated cutting-edge innovation to help achieve various safety, vehicle functionality and environmental goals. Our industry was among the first to explore how AI could be integrated into automobiles and provide even greater benefits to consumers.
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One important application of AI is the potential to improve safety. AI enables next-generation crash-avoidance features and the continuing development of automated vehicle technologies. These features collect and analyze data from a range of sources, including cameras, sensors and radars to make split-second decisions that help drivers stay safe and avoid a potential collision.
AI is also important for safety features that help ensure others — from drivers and occupants to pedestrians and bicyclists — can share the road safely.
The ability to leverage AI capabilities that align the technological aspects of our vehicles more closely to human behavior is an exciting prospect — and one helping us improve the driving experience. This includes powering in-vehicle smart assistants, automatically adjusting vehicle conditions like music and lighting, and giving electric vehicle drivers information about the nearest available charging stations.
These are some in-vehicle benefits enabled by AI, but AI’s influence doesn’t stop there.
AI can help sustain the American auto industry’s leadership on the global stage and improving the resiliency of our supply chain. Today’s AI is already helping streamline and improve the manufacturing process by identifying potential production anomalies and their root causes, helping to better schedule and prioritize tasks and manage inventory.
With all the potential benefits of AI, it’s important to recognize the technology uses a tremendous amount of data, and policymakers are rightly concerned about protecting that data. Fortunately, the auto industry has been ahead of the curve on this issue and has long been committed to the protection of consumer data and proactive about protecting it in a transparent manner for our consumers.
The technological developments that made the United States a global leader in the automotive sector would not have been possible without a regulatory environment that supports responsible innovation. That is why our industry continues to work collaboratively with policymakers at the state and federal levels to ensure government policies appropriately support the transformation to electrification and automated driving, and do not cede ground to other countries rapidly developing these technologies.
As policy discussions about AI unfold, let’s get the balance right so we can realize the safety and environmental benefits of technologies in development today and in the future. It is critical these effects be fully considered, and the auto industry has a seat at the table for the development of responsible and transformative AI policy approaches.
