Stellantis and Microsoft announced a strategic partnership lasting five years to collaborate on artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and engineering capabilities. This move comes as Stellantis endeavors to keep up with technology-focused competitors in the automotive industry.
The significance of software and data-driven services has grown within automotive companies’ long-term strategies, particularly as Chinese automakers ramp up efforts to attract customers both locally and internationally with advanced features.
Legacy automakers, facing challenges in software and tech development, are increasingly turning to tech companies for collaborations to enhance their capabilities and speed. Stellantis’ Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, Ned Curic, emphasized the acceleration of AI initiatives across the enterprise through the partnership with Microsoft.
While financial details of the agreement were not disclosed, the collaboration is set to co-develop over 100 AI initiatives at Stellantis. This partnership builds upon the existing relationship between Stellantis and Microsoft, which have previously cooperated on connected vehicle platforms and in-car digital services.
The joint efforts will focus on various areas such as product development, predictive maintenance, testing, and the rapid deployment of digital features and services. Additionally, the partnership aims to bolster Stellantis’ global cyber defense center using AI-driven analytics to enhance cybersecurity measures and protect vehicles, customer data, and operations worldwide.
As part of this collaboration, Stellantis plans to modernize its IT infrastructure on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform with a target of reducing its data center footprint by 60% by 2029. This strategic move underscores Stellantis’ commitment to leveraging technology advancements to enhance its offerings and improve cybersecurity measures.
