Advice

AI Car Features You Need to Know About in 2025

By 03/12/2025 8:00am
Artificial Intelligence in cars.

AI Car Features Quick Facts

  • Today’s new car models all feature some degree of artificial intelligence.
  • Level 3 autonomous driving depends heavily on AI.
  • Voice-activated virtual personal assistants can do everything from adjusting the climate control to recommending tourist attractions along your route.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is what all the cool kids are talking about these days, and it’s something to consider when buying a car. Following this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES), it’s time we examine AI’s impact on cars and their infotainment systems. Some of the technological advances are positively eye-popping.

We’ll start with a quick review of artificial intelligence, followed by some of the more interesting AI automotive developments and what to expect in the near future. We’ve added jump links so you can skip ahead if you like.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

According to IBM, AI is technology enabling computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and autonomy. In other words, AI infuses computers with the power to perform tasks requiring human intelligence through the use of data, algorithms, and adaptive learning.

Can AI Replace Human Intelligence?

Through logic and repetition, AI certainly has the capacity to problem-solve more quickly and reliably than the human brain. However, despite having the capability of learning as it goes, AI can’t duplicate human emotion and imagination.

Is AI Self-Aware?

Presently, AI isn’t self-aware. That is, it doesn’t recognize its place in the world. Will its capacity to learn and evolve ever greater intelligence lead to some sort of consciousness? Most experts assert that AI will restrict itself only to whatever specific tasks it is assigned. To date, no one has figured out how to program emotions or consciousness into a computer.

What Does AI Mean for Cars?

CNET describes the current enthusiasm for artificial intelligence as the “AI Gold Rush,” and it certainly is that. Although we often haven’t affixed the AI label to it, most advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies have ties to AI. Furthermore, the driverless cars of tomorrow will require AI to operate effectively and safely. From voice-activated personal assistants to negotiating busy urban streets without human supervision, AI is totally revolutionizing how we interact with our cars.

Although, primarily because of regulatory entanglements and liability issues, our streets being packed only with driverless vehicles whizzing all about is likely still a decade or more away. Yet, for all intents and purposes, the technology making such a thing possible is mostly developed.

However, there is much more to AI than shouldering the burden of driving the car. AI will be able to not only evaluate your car’s health, delving into the deepest recesses of its systems to sus out current as well as potential problems, but it will also monitor the driver’s health. Moreover, in what is called “contextual technology,” AI will translate repeated driver behavior into personalizing the driver experience. For example, Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX system, which stands for Mercedes-Benz User Experience, can already recognize behavior patterns, using this ability to remind you it’s nearly time to pick up the kids at school or some other repeated routine.

RELATED: Car Safety Features 101: Everything You Need To Know

What Are Software-Defined Vehicles?

As vehicles become more computerized and AI-oriented, the term software-defined vehicles (SDV) is gaining traction. It was a buzzword at this year’s CES. An SDV assumes the characteristics of smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices capable of receiving revisions and refinements via over-the-air (OTA) updates. It has never been more true that today’s cars are rolling computers with software that keeps the wheels turning.

What Are the Coolest New AI Features for 2025

Automotive is a growing category at the annual Customer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year, three noteworthy AI technologies were highlighted there.

  • Omnivision and Philips In-Cabin Vital Signs Monitoring: While Omnivision specializes in digital imaging and touch-and-display technology, Philips concentrates on technologies to promote healthcare innovation. They have collaborated to develop an in-cabin, connected well-being monitoring system. Sensors will measure vital signs like heart rate and breathing rate. Not only does it monitor driver well-being, it can translate that information into climate-control adjustments, audio volume control, cabin lighting, and more.
  • Continental Invisible Biometrics Sensing Display: Yep, that Continental, which manufactures and markets tires, is also a leader in technology. Its collaboration with biometric solutions innovator trinamiX has produced an unintrusive wellness monitoring solution. Using a camera and laser projector located behind the dashboard display, it detects passengers through a high-res OLED screen. Not only does it measure a driver’s vital signs, but it maps where each passenger is for more effective employment of airbags while offering other potential benefits.
  • Garmin Unified Cabin 2025: What doesn’t Unified Cabin do is the easier question to answer. This technology is a confluence of a variety of cabin electronics–-regardless of brand–-under a single, 6-screen system. Powered by Android, it brings a complete digital experience to four seating positions, which translates into a voice-activated personal assistant for each seat. Moreover, the system will automatically link a phone, earbuds, or other Bluetooth device to whichever seat you choose. A carmaker can tailor Unified Cabin to operate with its electronics.

What Is Honda ASIMO OS?

ASIMO OS is an in-house-developed system that will be the operating system (OS) for Honda’s new O Series electric vehicle (EV) models in 2026. It will bring integrated management across the vehicle’s platform and oversee the electronic control units (ECUs) for systems, including automated driving, driver assistance, and infotainment.

If ASIMO sounds familiar, it was the name of the humanoid robot Honda introduced in 2000 that was capable of walking.

Level 3 Autonomous Driving

Over the next two years, we’ll see a dramatic increase in the availability of Level 3 autonomous driving. Despite claims to the contrary, today’s most advanced-sounding driver-assistance systems, like GM’s Super Cruise, Ford’s BlueCruise, Tesla Autopilot, and others, are Level 2 Autonomous. Level 2 turns the acceleration, steering, and braking control over to the car under certain conditions, but the driver must keep their eyes on the road. You can learn more about the six levels of autonomous driving by reading our article: Self-Driving Cars: Everything You Need To Know.

Level 3 allows you to take both your hands and eyes off the road under certain conditions and at designated speeds. AI makes Level 3 possible. At the beginning of 2025, only Mercedes-Benz markets cars in the United States with Level 3 capability and then only on limited roads in California and Nevada. BMW currently provides its Personal Pilot Level 3 system in some models in Germany but predicts Level 3 in U.S. models in 2025. Honda has had its Sensing Elite Level 3 capability in some of its Honda Legend models in Japan since 2021. However, more carmakers will have Level 3 available on U.S. roadways in the next several months:

  • Rivian Autonomy Platform: With a launch date in 2026, this platform will bring hands-free and eyes-off technology to Rivian models.
  • Ford BlueCruise: We expect Ford’s BlueCruise to reach Level 3 capability in some 2026 models.
  • GM Super Cruise: GM hasn’t predicted when it will upgrade its Super Cruise to Level 3, but we believe it will be no later than 2026 for some models.
  • Tesla Autopilot: Tesla claims it already has Level 3 capability but has yet to offer it to the public. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said there should be at least some limited U.S. availability in 2025.
  • Volvo: The carmaker has announced it will offer Level 3 on its 2025 Volvo EX90 electric SUV.

What Is a Large Language Model in a Car?

Although the term may not be familiar, a large language model is the artificial intelligence responsible for crunching mountains of data to understand and generate text as a human does to respond to questions and organize information, including in a car as with Google Assistant. When typing text, the program offers suggestions for completing the sentence, which is a product of its large language model. ChatGPT is a solid example. Large language models constantly evolve, improving their ability to communicate more naturally. We expect that trend to continue, including in vehicles.

How Does Google Assistant Work?

Powered by a large language model, Google Assistant can be found on many car models. For example, it is the virtual personal assistant in the GMC Sierra EV truck. Google Assistant can perform various functions through voice commands, freeing the driver to concentrate on the road. Some of those functions:

  • Hands-free phone calling
  • Set navigation destinations and obtain real-time traffic updates
  • Change climate-control settings
  • Set schedule reminders
  • Wi-Fi management
  • Oversee battery charging

More Engaging AI-Enhanced User Interfaces

AI opens the door to more complex, entertaining, and informative user interfaces. Larger touchscreens, multi-screen displays, and enhanced head-up displays are how we will receive information going forward. Among the newer AI-influenced systems:

  • Harman Luna avatar with QVUE: Most of us are familiar with the Harman name for its wide-ranging group of audio companies, including Harman Kardon, JBL, Infinity, and others. However, it is also on the cutting edge of connected car technology. Its range of integrated “Ready” technologies, like Ready Display, Ready Connect, Ready Engage, and Ready Vision QVUE, can turn a car’s cockpit into a beehive of interactive connectivity. It is introducing its Ready Engage “Luna” avatar AI system to function with its A-pillar-to-A-pillar windshield QVUE display and other Ready Vision products. Key features include dynamic street visualization and transparent-hood views.
  • Hyundai Mobis Holographic Display: This system employs a specialized film with a holographic optical element to project images and information. It uses the lower portion of the entire windshield from pillar to pillar as its canvas. It’s completely customizable. However, it appears it may not be marketed widely in the United States until 2027.
  • BMW Panoramic Vision: Another head-up display involving the entire width of the windshield, this BMW version also utilizes the lower portion of the glass as its screen. BMW hasn’t teased a release date yet, but by 2026 is a safe bet.

AI for Cars Globally

AI isn’t a regional phenomenon; however, AI can develop differently because of local culture and regulations.

European Union

For the American consumer, AI development is focused on easing driver stress and enriching the passenger environment. Although some adaptive cruise control systems provide automatic adjustments to reflect changing speed limits, thus far, adhering to posted speed limits isn’t an AI mandate in this country.

However, in the European Union, maintaining posted speed limits is a core goal of AI driver-assist technology. Intelligent speed assistance (ISA), depending on the ISA system, will issue a warning, apply brake pressure, or reduce engine power when the speed limit is exceeded. In fact, by law, beginning in July 2024, the European Union mandated that manufacturers equip every new car with an ISA system.

China

Unlike the U.S., where each state has its own automotive requirements in addition to federal regulations, China has a single, top-down regulatory structure. Consequently, AI driver-assistance systems are advancing at a somewhat quicker pace there. Carmakers like XPeng and Huawei have developed AI systems that more closely mimic human driving behaviors, exceeding the capabilities of those currently offered in the U.S. market.

4 Tips for Picking a Car Based on AI Capability

One of AI’s attractive features is its transparency. Like the air we breathe, it’s there, but most of us don’t give it much thought. Unless you are a techie, you probably aren’t going to base a car-buying decision on a vehicle’s level of AI proliferation. But if AI proficiency is important to you, we’ve provided some things to look for.

  1. Driver assist vs. automated driving: How much of the driver’s load do you want AI to shoulder? Most recent model-year vehicles have driver-assistance features like lane-keeping assist and rear cross-traffic alert. Although it’s optional on many models, adaptive cruise control is relatively common, too. These are Level 1 driving aids that may or may not be AI-enhanced. However, if you want a greater degree of automation, you’ll need a Level 2 or Level 3 system. As already described, Level 2 allows removing your hands from the wheel under certain conditions, while Level 3 also allows you to take your eyes off the road in certain situations.
  2. Voice-activated assistants: In-car personal assistants are now quite common in new models. Whether it’s “Hey, Alexa” with Alexa Auto, ChatGPT as with “Hey, Mercedes” in that carmaker’s MBUX OS, or the virtual assistant from some other system, they are a form of human-machine interactions. These assistants come with varying degrees of sophistication. The level of responsiveness, capability to understand, and capacity to learn your preferences aren’t the same from one system to the next. Some extra research, as well as testing the personal assistant during the test drive is required to make the right pick for you.
  3. Over-the-air (OTA) updates: Technology doesn’t stand still. You want to ensure that whichever system a vehicle features that said system can update in real-time over the air.
  4. Extra costs: Be sure you understand what an AI operating system is capable of as is and what requires a subscription. Any subscription cost must be factored into your budget.

RELATED: Adaptive Cruise Control: How Does It Work?

Our Take

AI-enhanced car technology is advancing at a blistering pace. It has the potential to make driving less stressful, safer, and more entertaining. It’s probably capable of things we have yet to realize. However, we’ve reached the point at which it’s no longer whether a new model car features AI but how much AI it has.