GM Unveils “Eyes-Off” Driving for 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ & Google Gemini AI Assistant Coming Soon
General Motors is pushing further into autonomous driving and AI integration, announcing a new “eyes-off” driving assistance system set to debut on the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ. This move, touted as “a new era of transportation,” aims to allow drivers to engage in other activities while the vehicle pilots itself, building on GM’s Super Cruise technology which claims no attributed crashes. Alongside this, GM vehicles will feature a new conversational AI assistant powered by Google’s Gemini AI, starting next year, promising more natural interaction. However, the article critically points out GM’s (and other automakers’) potential oversight of the significant environmental and social costs associated with powering AI data centers, and questions the increasing reliance on driverless features as new gimmicks to drive up vehicle prices.
GM’s Push Towards Autonomous Driving
GM is rolling out advanced driving assistance features, aiming for a future where drivers are less involved in piloting the vehicle.
- “Eyes-Off” Driving: GM announced a new “eyes-off” driving feature, a step beyond its existing hands-free Super Cruise system.
- Debut Vehicle: This new system will first appear on the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ.
- Safety Claim: GM’s press materials emphasize that there hasn’t been “a single crash ‘attributed’ to Super Cruise.”
- Mapped Roads: The company has mapped 600,000 miles of road suitable for hands-free/eyes-free driving, and five million more for fully driverless cars via its subsidiary, Cruise.
- Cruise Acquisition: GM acquired Cruise in pieces starting in 2016 to leverage its driverless technology, despite past controversies like a Cruise taxi dragging a woman through traffic.
- Disclaimer: A disclaimer reminds drivers to “Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a hand-held device,” a potential contradiction to “eyes-off” driving.
New Conversational AI Assistant
GM vehicles will soon integrate advanced artificial intelligence for in-car interaction.
- Google Gemini AI: Starting next year, GM vehicles will feature a new conversational AI assistant powered by Google’s Gemini AI.
- Natural Conversation: The primary selling point is the ability to speak to the assistant “as naturally as you would to a fellow passenger.”
- Data Collection Concerns: With user permission, the AI will be “fine-tuned with your vehicle’s intelligence and your personal preferences, all connected by OnStar.” This raises concerns given previous backlash against GM’s use of OnStar to “collect and sell vehicle data to brokers for a profit.”
- User Benefits: Promised benefits include convenience, such as “finding the perfect place for dinner en route.”
Criticism: Costs of AI and Automaker Motives
The article raises significant criticisms regarding the broader implications of these technological advancements.
- Human Toll of AI: The author highlights the “serious, real-world problems for other human beings” caused by AI data centers, including “polluted water, constant noise, insulting electricity costs, and a housing market so sky-high that most of them can’t hope to move away.”
- Automaker Motives: Automakers are accused of “buy[ing] into the hot new thing without thinking – again,” treating AI as a “gimmick they can get consumers to buy into so they can charge more for their cars.”
- Rising Car Prices: This trend is noted amidst the context of the “average transaction price of a new car is now over $50,000.”
Final Thoughts
GM’s ambitious announcement of “eyes-off” driving and a new AI assistant signals a future where vehicles are increasingly autonomous and interconnected. While these innovations promise enhanced convenience and a “new era of transportation,” the article smartly brings to light critical counterpoints. Concerns about the true “eyes-off” safety, potential for user data exploitation via OnStar integration, and the unacknowledged environmental and social costs of AI data centers are crucial considerations. As automakers integrate cutting-edge technology, the balance between innovation, driver responsibility, and ethical considerations becomes increasingly complex, prompting questions about whether these features truly serve the consumer or primarily bolster vehicle price points.
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