At CES 2024, Intel unveiled plans to put artificial intelligence front and center in next-generation “software-defined vehicles.” The company announced its first automotive system-on-a-chip with AI capabilities, set to roll out by the end of 2024, along with a series of other moves aimed at reshaping the future of electric and autonomous vehicles.

The new chip, and accompanying family of AI-enhanced semiconductors Intel plans to introduce, will allow vehicles to host more powerful in-car voice assistants, video conferencing systems, hands-free driver monitoring features, and rear passenger gaming options. Intel says its AI chips will enable cars to respond to voice commands to adjust settings, rather than forcing drivers to dig through menus, and even “proactively enable” disabled safety features when needed.

Chinese electric vehicle maker Zeekr, under the Geely auto group that also owns Volvo, has already signed on to be the first adopter of Intel’s AI auto chips later this year.

Beyond computing, Intel acquired Silicon Mobility, a fabless chip and software designer focused on electric vehicle energy management. By optimizing power systems, Intel hopes to reduce the size and mineral intensity of EV batteries without sacrificing range. The company is also chairing a new standards committee to advance battery efficiency across the auto industry.

Summing up Intel’s spate of automotive announcements, Senior Vice President Jack Weast said “We are bringing the AI PC to the car.” He argued vehicles today are like early laptops — big, clunky and expensive. With its software-defined vision relying on artificial intelligence, Intel aims to revolutionize the electric, autonomous cars of tomorrow.