Autology is a podcast series from Mobility Global (formerly S&P Global Mobility), bringing you key intelligence from across the automotive supply chain. Autology features interviews with supply chain executives and Mobility Global experts to help you stay on top of the trends you need to know--and the decisions you need to make--in the near future.
Artificial intelligence has long been a staple of automotive futurism. Yet for much of the past decade, its role in the car was more promise than reality. That is beginning to change. As vehicles become increasingly software-defined, AI is moving from the periphery of the driving experience to its centre, reshaping how motorists interact with their cars and how manufacturers think about value, safety and differentiation.
In this Autology episode of Supplier Soundbytes, we explore how AI is transforming the modern cockpit. From natural-language voice assistants and personalised media settings to driver-monitoring systems and predictive navigation, the technology is already helping to reduce friction behind the wheel. But the most important shift may be less visible: the emergence of intelligent systems capable of understanding context, adapting to user needs and coordinating multiple vehicle functions in real time.
Joining the discussion is Marcus Futterlieb, Director of Technology Management for AI Orchestration at HARMAN. He argues that the future of automotive AI will not be defined by ever-larger models or more sophisticated chatbots. Rather, success will depend on using the right intelligence for the right task - balancing cloud-based services, embedded software and deterministic systems to deliver experiences that are useful, reliable and affordable.
The conversation examines the growing importance of AI orchestration, the challenge of building trust through privacy-conscious design and the opportunities emerging in areas such as driver well-being and personalised vehicle experiences. It also looks ahead to a future in which cars continue to evolve long after leaving the factory, supported by software architectures designed for continuous improvement.
The destination is becoming clearer. Drivers are unlikely to care whether a feature is powered by generative AI, machine learning or conventional software. They will simply expect vehicles that understand them better, anticipate their needs and make every journey safer and easier. The race is now on to deliver exactly that.

Marcus Futterlieb
[Source: HARMAN]
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