The automotive industry has been developing a single model for up to five years, so many cars just arriving on the market stem from plans made back in 2020 and 2021. In the meantime, market conditions have changed, from weakening incentives for electric vehicles to new tariffs and trade restrictions, prompting manufacturers to seek faster ways to adapt.
At GM, AI is already being used in the early stages of design. Creative designer Dan Shapiro said the process still begins with a human sketch, with AI serving to visualize the idea in a more finished form more quickly. As he noted, that is the purpose of sketches, and AI helps them see it even earlier.
Using the Vizcom tool, hand-drawn proposals can be turned into 3D models and animations within hours, instead of after months of work by multiple teams.
AI is also entering aerodynamics. GM is developing a so-called virtual wind tunnel powered by AI, allowing designers and engineers to almost instantly assess air resistance as they modify vehicle surfaces. A similar approach is being developed by Swiss company Neural Concept, whose simulation systems significantly shorten tasks that previously took hours.
Nissan, on the other hand, is applying AI primarily in vehicle software development, especially for automating routine tasks such as unit tests. Takashi Yoshizawa from the company said these tools "improve both development speed and quality." Nissan's goal is to develop a new car in 30 months.
However, alongside increased productivity, the question of employment arises. While companies claim AI should relieve teams rather than reduce the number of workers, some experts warn that such a significant acceleration of processes could impact the number of jobs, particularly in design studios.