Lately, it has become impossible to get through the day without hearing about artificial intelligence (AI). It is dominating the news cycle and is an increasingly common trope in fiction as well. More importantly, it is becoming part of daily life for an increasing number of people, particularly younger generations. As more people learn to leverage the technology, they will want it in their cars, and Kia is getting ahead of the curve by adding its AI Assistant to the K4.
At this point, we have all likely used and been frustrated by some form of in-car voice control agent. Early ones earned a reputation for being slow, clumsy, and inaccurate. With Kia's AI Assistant, it is time to leave that past behind, because it offers an entirely different user experience.
In this case, you initiate the conversation with a familiar cue, "Hey, Kia." After that, you can have simple, natural conversations about any of the car's functions. For example, if you are not sure how to enable your car's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) or when to use them, you can just ask. The car will tell you exactly how to proceed, making it an easy, interactive guide to learning everything you want to know about your car. It is certainly more engaging than reading the owner’s manual.
Learning about your car is just the beginning. Voice agents like the Kia AI Assistant have access to a wealth of information far beyond what is contained within the four doors of your K4 or K4 Hatchback.
In the middle of a road trip? You can request a forecast for your current location or a snow report for your favorite mountain resort. You can also ask for the best view to enjoy a scenic lunch stop along the way. You can even ask for help with your kid's homework if they start hitting you with the difficult questions. It is easy to do, and thanks to the beauty of over-the-air updates, the information is always up to date and fresh.
In the U.S. market, Kia first launched its AI Assistant in the K4 and it will also be available in the K4 Hatchback. The system is based on a version of OpenAI's ChatGPT, modified to enable control of vehicle functions. For example, you can ask the new AI Assistant to turn on the heated seats or adjust the cabin temperature with a quick "Hey, Kia."
Whether you are an AI skeptic or already call on Claude or ChatGPT for advice on every major decision in your life, Kia's AI Assistant delivers a significantly better user experience than your average in-car voice assistant. As cars become increasingly advanced, systems like this will only become more prevalent. Kia is off to a great start, but it is far from being the only brand experimenting with AI.
Visit the Shopping Guides section of the website to learn more about different automotive technologies.
Tim Stevens is a veteran automotive and technology journalist with over 25 years of experience covering a wide range of topics, from smartphones to supercars. In addition to jdpower.com, his expert perspectives have appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including print, online, and broadcast television.
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