Mercedes-Benz Designer Predicts AI Could Replace Humans in Car Design

Mercedes-Benz's chief designer, Gorden Wagener, predicts that AI could replace human car designers within a decade. How realistic is this shift, and what are the consequences? Read more.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly infiltrating unexpected fields, and automotive design is no exception. Mercedes-Benz's chief designer, Gorden Wagener, recently stated that AI could replace human designers within the next ten years. But are machines truly ready to take over artistic creativity?

Today, AI is already being used in car design, but according to Wagener, its effectiveness is still questionable. “We are working with AI, but 99% of what it produces is garbage,” he admits. However, he does not rule out the possibility that future advancements could allow AI to handle most of the work, leaving humans responsible only for the final touches.

Other automakers are also making strides in AI development. Tesla, for instance, is heavily investing in AI for its self-driving technology, while Chinese giant BYD is incorporating neural networks into digital assistants within its vehicles. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz is taking a different approach—it recently announced a partnership with Google Cloud to integrate an AI-powered agent into its MBUX system, significantly enhancing voice control capabilities.

This raises an inevitable question: what happens to designers if AI truly learns to generate the cars of the future? Concerns are mounting that many professionals could become obsolete, while educational programs might require major restructuring. At the same time, experts argue that human creativity, intuition, and cultural awareness are elements that machines may never fully replicate.

The automotive industry is on the brink of a major transformation. AI has yet to develop artistic sensibility, but if technology continues to advance at its current pace, car designers may soon find themselves acting more as curators of ideas rather than creators of new forms.

Source: insideevs.com