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Uber is set to improve its ride-hailing and delivery services by introducing an AI assistant powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o, which aims to assist drivers with their electric vehicle (EV) inquiries.
With the AI assistant scheduled for launch in early 2025 in the United States, this move is part of Uber’s ongoing efforts to increase the number of EVs on its platform.
Initially, the assistant will focus solely on EV-related questions, such as charging locations and vehicle recommendations. However, there are plans to expand its functionality to cover additional topics in the future.
The announcement was made during Uber’s Go-Get event in London, where the company highlighted the capabilities of OpenAI’s latest model, which can engage in human-like conversations and reasoning across various formats, including text, audio, and visual inputs.
Drivers will have access to this AI assistant directly from the home screen of the Uber driver application. The chatbot will receive continuous updates with new information and will provide tailored responses based on individual driver needs, their city, and available government incentives.
According to reports, drivers will eventually have the option to communicate with the chatbot via voice commands, in addition to text queries. The assistant is also designed to respond audibly to driver questions.
Details regarding the languages supported by the AI assistant are yet to be announced. However, OpenAI’s GPT-4o reportedly supports over 50 languages at the moment.
In conjunction with the AI rollout, Uber is launching an “EV mentorship program,” which will allow experienced EV drivers to mentor those interested in transitioning to EVs.
Also during the Go-Get event, the company introduced several new features that intend to facilitate EV adoption among riders and drivers alike.
For instance, its “Uber Green” service, which allows riders to select hybrid or electric vehicles in over 180 markets, will soon include an EV-only option available in 40 cities. Initial cities for this feature include New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Paris, Auckland, among others.