Stellantis secured a five-year deal with Microsoft to have the software giant help the automaker develop more than 100 AI-base initiatives aimed at improving driver safety, cybersecurity, and engineering efforts.
The two companies already work together in several areas, and all employees currently have access to Copilot Chat. Workers get specialized training on how to use the AI-based tech in their daily work.
However, the deal calls for the two companies to work extensively across most areas of the company to improve efficiency and security while reducing the resources expended to handle a variety of functions.
Perhaps the most prominent use of AI will be to improve cybersecurity for vehicles as well as the company itself. There are plenty of stories and additional worries about the abilities of hackers to take over a vehicle remotely. With the advent of self-driving technology, more and more vehicles will rely on computers to navigate U.S. roads. Ensuring those systems cannot be hacked and used by cyberterrorists is a priority.
“Stellantis will deploy and operate an AI‑driven global cyber defense center spanning its IT systems, connected vehicles, manufacturing sites and digital products,” officials said. The goal is to anticipate threats before they happen using AI-driven analytics, then protect connected services and customer data across the company’s global operations.
The company plans to embed cybersecurity applications “into every digital vehicle experience,” to ensure users can be safe using mobile apps and in-vehicle services. The company noted Jeep owners will benefit from more reliable connectivity even in remote areas.
To deliver faster and more reliable digital experiences worldwide, Stellantis said it will modernize its infrastructure using Microsoft Azure. It’s aiming for a 60% reduction in data center footprint by 2029, the company said.
“This cloud modernization will power a more interconnected and scalable digital ecosystem, supporting seamless delivery of digital and connected services for customers, and strengthening operational resilience across global manufacturing and logistics,” the company noted.
[Images: Stellantis]
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