Uber is constant its push to convey extra electrical autos onto the ride-hail and supply platform, and it thinks giving drivers a chatbot to reply all their EV questions will assist. Starting early 2025, Uber will launch an AI assistant for drivers within the U.S. powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o.
At launch, the assistant will solely reply questions on electrical autos, like the place to cost them or which one to purchase, however the integration will doubtlessly span into different use instances sooner or later, in response to an Uber spokesperson.
Uber introduced the combination with OpenAI’s new flagship mannequin — which is able to having human-like conversations and reasoning throughout textual content, audio, and imaginative and prescient — throughout its Go-Get occasion in London on Tuesday.
Drivers will be capable to entry the AI assistant from the house display of the Uber driver app, and the chatbot can be repeatedly up to date with new info. Uber says it’ll additionally be capable to present customized solutions primarily based on the driving force’s wants, town they dwell in, and out there authorities incentives.
An Uber spokesperson advised TechCrunch that drivers will ultimately be capable to converse on to the chatbot, along with sending text-based questions, and that the chatbot will be capable to audibly reply to driver queries.
It’s not clear in what languages the AI assistant can be out there; Uber plans to share extra particulars on supported languages nearer to launch. OpenAI says GPT-4o can assist over 50 languages.
Uber’s AI assistant rollout can be coupled with an “EV mentorship program,” the place extremely rated drivers who’ve expertise driving an EV can earn money rewards and different incentives in the event that they tackle the mantle of being a mentor for drivers who need to be taught extra in regards to the expertise of proudly owning an EV.
Uber’s OpenAI announcement was lumped in with different EV and climate-focused information on the Go-Get occasion. The focus of the showcase this yr was on local weather, and Uber revealed a handful of latest options and updates that make it simpler for riders and drivers to decide on EVs.
For instance, the ride-hail and supply large’s Uber Green providing, the place riders can select to experience in a hybrid or an EV in over 180 markets, will now characteristic an EV-only choice in 40 cities, with extra to come back. The first cities embody New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Paris, Auckland, and extra. Riders may set their desire within the Uber app to get matched with EVs when one is close by.
