Uber to Launch an AI Assistant to Help Drivers Embrace Electric Vehicles

At the Go Get Zero conference in London, Uber announced the upcoming launch of an AI assistant powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4. The assistant is designed to support drivers in adopting electric and sustainable practices. By early 2025, the company said, the chatbot’s functions will be expanded to address a wider range of questions related to electric vehicles. 

According to sources, the assistant will focus on inquiries related to electric vehicles, such as charging locations and purchase recommendations. Drivers can access the AI assistant directly from the home screen of the Uber driver app, which will be updated with the latest information. 

The assistant will build on the driver's personal requests and tailor responses to each. The company claims that GPT-4 can support over 50 languages.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi highlighted the company's new sustainability-focused features in the run-up toto the 2024 U.S. elections. He noted that electric vehicles have become a “politically charged issue.”

“Uber drivers are adopting EVs five times faster than the average motorist in the U.S., Canada and Europe. In London, nearly 30% of all miles driven on Uber are now electric,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi at the event. “We’ve invested hundreds of millions of dollars from a few hundred electric vehicles on the platform to more than 182,000 today. And with Uber Green available in 200+ cities globally, riders can now choose a hybrid or electric ride with one tap.” 

Tesla's upcoming robotaxi event, scheduled for October 10, has sparked concerns among some Uber investors. The potential launch of a rival service has caused unease since its initial preview earlier this spring.