Key facts
- GM executives compete monthly on AI usage figures.
- GM's CFO Paul Jacobson said his team is 'middle of the pack' in AI adoption.
- AI is used at GM for car design recommendations.
- AI alerts GM about potential supply chain risks.
- GM's CFO expects AI to shift finance team focus from explaining past results to anticipating future outcomes.
General Motors executives are actively competing to increase their use of artificial intelligence, with monthly usage figures being compared across departments and functions. Paul Jacobson, GM's chief financial officer, revealed this internal competition at JPMorgan's US All Stars Conference in London, stating that while it's a 'healthy competition,' his own team is currently 'middle of the pack.'
GM is integrating AI tools across various departments. The company has previously shared that AI is assisting in generating car design recommendations and identifying potential risks within its supply chain. Sterling Anderson, GM's chief product officer, has indicated that a key objective is to accelerate the timeline from design to production through AI.
The push for AI adoption comes as Detroit automakers face increasing competition from Chinese companies offering advanced EV technologies. Jacobson highlighted the US as a 'safe haven' for manufacturing amid intense global competition. He acknowledged that GM's AI initiatives are still in their early stages, with potential applications in vehicle features, quality control, and manufacturing processes. Jacobson warned that companies failing to enhance efficiency through such technologies risk falling behind.
Within the finance department, Jacobson aims for AI to enhance predictive capabilities. Currently, finance analysts reportedly spend about 80% of their time analyzing past performance and 20% forecasting future outcomes. Jacobson anticipates AI will reverse this ratio, allowing 80% of their time to be dedicated to predicting future trends, thereby increasing the team's overall effectiveness.