Microsoft and Stellantis partner for five years to add AI car services

In short: Stellantis and Microsoft have started a five-year partnership to use AI in Stellantis cars and online services, including maintenance help and stronger security.

What happened

Stellantis, the car group behind brands like Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Peugeot, and Vauxhall, has entered a five-year partnership with Microsoft. The companies say the goal is to improve Stellantis’ digital services and how it builds and supports its vehicles.

A big part of the plan is using AI, which is software that can spot patterns in data and make suggestions (like a very fast assistant that learns from past examples). Stellantis said this could lead to customer features such as predictive maintenance, which means the car tries to warn you about a problem before it becomes a breakdown. It also mentioned “efficiency coaching,” which is in-car advice that could help drivers use less energy or fuel.

The companies also said they will use AI to strengthen cybersecurity, meaning protection against online attacks that could disrupt services or expose data. Stellantis gave an example focused on Jeep, saying drivers should get more reliable connectivity and protected access to data even in remote areas.

Microsoft and Stellantis also set a target for 2029 that sounds counterintuitive. They want to reduce their datacenter footprint by 60 percent, meaning they aim to run these services using fewer or smaller server facilities (the computers in warehouses that power online apps).

Why it matters

Modern cars increasingly act like connected devices, which can be useful but also raises concerns about reliability, security, and privacy. If Stellantis delivers on better security and clearer, more dependable services, owners could see fewer app outages and earlier warnings about vehicle issues.

Source: Arstechnica