Kia EV3 debuts with ChatGPT-powered AI voice assistant

The Kia EV3, the new all-electric compact SUV revealed Thursday, exemplifies the growing trend among global automakers to integrate generative AI into their vehicles.

This latest model from Kia will feature a voice assistant built on ChatGPT, the renowned AI chatbot developed by OpenAI.

Set to launch in Korea in July 2024, the Kia EV3 and its advanced AI assistant will expand to Europe in the latter half of the year, with plans to eventually introduce the model to the United States and other regions, though specific dates for the U.S. market have not been disclosed.

This AI integration is not solely the work of OpenAI. Kia has significantly customized the voice assistant to enhance its functionality.

Pablo Martinez, Kia’s head of customer experience design, explained that while the core language model is based on ChatGPT, Kia has “heavily modified” it to enable trip planning, vehicle control, and entertainment options, including music and games.

These enhancements aim to create a more intuitive and seamless user experience.

The integration of voice assistants in vehicles is not new, but their effectiveness has varied.

Automakers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen have been exploring generative AI to make these systems more capable and user-friendly.

The chatter around this technology intensified last year, with Mercedes-Benz incorporating a conversational AI-bot into its MBUX infotainment system in June 2023, followed by BMW and Volkswagen showcasing similar technologies at CES 2024.

Kia’s new AI-based assistant first appeared in the gas-powered Kia K4 sedan earlier this year.

The Kia EV3 marks the company’s first all-electric vehicle to feature this advanced AI assistant, setting a new standard for future automotive innovation.