Volkswagen to integrate ChatGPT into in-car voice assistant

Colin
By Colin Wood
Jan 8, 2024 | Volkswagen, VW, AI, ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence

Photograph Courtesy Volkswagen (ID.7)

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere these days–and now it’s coming for your cars!

Well, sort of.

Volkswagen announced today plans to integrate the AI-based chatbot ChatGPT into the company’s IDA voice assistant, with an official debut at the CES 2024 trade fair set for January 9-12:

At CES 2024, the world's leading electronics trade fair from January 9 to 12, Volkswagen will present the first vehicles in which the artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT is integrated into its IDA voice assistant. In the future, customers will have seamless access to the constantly growing artificial intelligence database in all Volkswagen models equipped with the IDA voice assistant1 and have researched content read out to them while driving. Cerence Chat Pro from technology partner Cerence Inc. is the foundation of the new function, which offers a uniquely intelligent, automotive-grade ChatGPT integration. Volkswagen is the first volume manufacturer that will offer Chat GPT as a standard feature from the second quarter of 2024 in many production vehicles. The feature is being considered for the United States.

Set to be available on the ID.7, ID.5, ID.4, and ID.3 as well as the new Tiguan, Passat and Golf, the ChatGPT-enhanced IDA voice assistant is intended to be used to adjust things like the radio, navigation and air conditioning. In the coming years, VW hopes that IDA will be able to answer questions, offer vehicle-specific information and even hold conversations.

VW does note that “nothing changes for the person behind the wheel,” however, and that measures are in place to ensure the protection of personal data:

ChatGPT does not gain any access to vehicle data; questions and answers are deleted immediately to ensure the highest possible level of data protection. This is facilitated by Cerence Chat Pro, which leverages a multitude of sources, including ChatGPT, to enable IDA to provide relevant responses to nearly every query imaginable. The feature also prioritizes security and seamless integration with IDA’s myriad capabilities, delivering ease of use for drivers.

So what are you going to talk to your Volkswagen’s AI about?

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Comments
Coniglio Rampante
Coniglio Rampante Reader
1/9/24 11:12 a.m.

"Kewl." @VW.

Puddy46
Puddy46 Reader
1/9/24 11:29 a.m.

The draw of an old C10 with a carb'd 350 grows stronger everyday with news like this. 

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter)
Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
1/9/24 12:07 p.m.

I really, really try not to be a Luddite in matters like this, but I have to wonder. Who is asking for this?

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/9/24 12:42 p.m.

Kill all humans. 

NOHOME
NOHOME MegaDork
1/9/24 12:46 p.m.

As someone who buys a new car every ten years with no visits to the dealer in between ( unless warranty issues) I have always found the technology jumps to be jarring.

With the latest visit having been this summer, I was introduced to the screen of stupid that is installed in the middle of the dash of every new car. Who woulda thunk that a TV screen in the front seat was a good idea? Now its the law. I find it useful to hang post-it notes.

 

I do not want to talk to a car.

DirtyBird222
DirtyBird222 PowerDork
1/9/24 1:08 p.m.

Have you seen the AI art thread? Do we really want that monster inside of our cars? 

I feel like it's partially a gimmick and it's just a function like Alexa, Siri, or Hey Google. But also I don't want that E36 M3 in my car either. 

californiamilleghia
californiamilleghia UberDork
1/9/24 1:43 p.m.

Who is going to start the thread "what would you ask VW Ai ?

Some interesting questions about design and the why they made some of the cars so hard to repair , 

And how many answers will be "I was only  following orders "

 

Personally I find Siri to be very useful in conjunction with Carplay.  The problem is that she has a limited range of skills and gets confused a lot.  Siri does OK with "play the Talking Heads on Spotify".  Not as well with "find me somewhere healthy to eat on my way to the airport".  If AI is a solution to this then it seems like a reasonable step in the right direction to me.

DirtyBird222
DirtyBird222 PowerDork
1/9/24 2:26 p.m.
ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:

Personally I find Siri to be very useful in conjunction with Carplay.  The problem is that she has a limited range of skills and gets confused a lot.  Siri does OK with "play the Talking Heads on Spotify".  Not as well with "find me somewhere healthy to eat on my way to the airport".  If AI is a solution to this then it seems like a reasonable step in the right direction to me.

Yea well what if that AI has been trained to subvert you in what is healthy vs. the illusion of healthy? 

DirtyBird222 said:
ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:

Personally I find Siri to be very useful in conjunction with Carplay.  The problem is that she has a limited range of skills and gets confused a lot.  Siri does OK with "play the Talking Heads on Spotify".  Not as well with "find me somewhere healthy to eat on my way to the airport".  If AI is a solution to this then it seems like a reasonable step in the right direction to me.

Yea well what if that AI has been trained to subvert you in what is healthy vs. the illusion of healthy? 

Then it would be just like the actual human marketing that we're being hammered with every day.

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