General Motors (GM) has announced that it is upgrading vehicles with Google Gemini, bringing advanced conversational AI to the road. Gemini will be rolled out soon to approximately 4 million model year 2022 and newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles in the US with Google built-in, which the company describes as one of the largest deployments of Gemini in the industry. This comes ahead of a custom-built AI assistant, fine-tuned with proprietary vehicle data and shaped by OnStar intelligence, that GM plans to introduce later in 2026. 

Gemini is available with the Google built-in through GM's infotainment system, using the vehicle's software platform and OnStar connectivity to provide richer information. Customers will see an upgrade from the current Google Assistant to a smarter, more intuitive AI assistant that improves over time. With Gemini, users can speak naturally without memorizing commands or repeating context. Drivers can ask for music tailored to mood, scenery or trip length, discuss what they see, such as a skyline, explore ideas and curiosities, and send texts translated into different languages while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

For messaging, Gemini can summarize and read incoming messages, then help draft, edit or translate responses using natural language, including adding emojis to texts. For entertainment, Gemini can create playlists for road trips, suggest podcast episodes that fit available time and stream shows when parked, drawing on in-vehicle apps such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Audible, HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video, Spotify, TuneIn, YouTube and others. It can also support experiences such as playing the newest tracks in Dolby Atmos in select Cadillac models and summarizing podcast episodes, such as OnStar's Tell Me What Happened.

Gemini also supports multitasking while keeping drivers focused on the road by handling multiple tasks in a single conversational flow. For example, drivers can request navigation to a coffee shop and send a text in the same interaction, refine requests to specify criteria such as outdoor seating, or change the topic mid-conversation to play calmer music for children. The system can be used for learning and brainstorming during quiet driving moments, such as planning a family holiday to a warm, adventurous destination without a long flight, or rehearsing and seeking guidance for important conversations, such as discussing a promotion with a boss.

For commercial vehicle drivers, including landscapers, service technicians and long-haul operators, Gemini can help with smarter route planning. It can assist in planning efficient days with multiple stops while factoring in fuel needs, such as finding the least expensive fuel along a route to end the day with at least half a tank, and locating trailer-friendly parking.

Gemini will arrive soon in eligible model year 2022 and newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles in the US with Google built-in, with the update delivered over several months. When the upgrade is ready, a message will appear on the vehicle's infotainment screen. To use Gemini, customers must be connected to OnStar, signed in to the Google Play Store, using US English as the assistant language and opted in to Gemini. The update is expected to expand to additional GM markets and support more languages over time.

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