OnStar gets an AI makeover

General Motors is adding a personal AI assistant to OnStar, its subscription-based connected car service launched 30 years ago, as part of a broader technology overhaul.

Debut in 2027 Cadillac Lyriq

The OnStar AI Assistant will debut in the 2027 Cadillac Lyriq EV in the coming months, with more GM vehicles to follow, announced Wednesday at GM Forward in New York.

New mobile app consolidates brands

GM will launch a new OnStar mobile app in 2027 that will replace the current OnStar Guardian app and vehicle brand apps for Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC.

From call center to intelligence platform

OnStar is transitioning from a call center to a connected intelligence platform that interprets, understands, and provides predictive, proactive support to vehicle owners, GM's VP Sterling Anderson said.

“OnStar is now transitioning to be a connected intelligence platform, not just the call center that it's historically been known as”

Connected cameras and voice control

Cameras on vehicles will connect to software for live views and crash recordings. Users can set cameras to activate automatically on impending events and use voice to control climate and ask about vehicle features.

Competing with Chinese automakers

The launch reflects industry-wide efforts to match Chinese automakers by making technology central to vehicles rather than an add-on, requiring GM to redesign its software development and electrical architecture.

Data sharing restrictions imposed

The Federal Trade Commission finalized an order banning GM and OnStar from sharing certain consumer data with consumer reporting agencies and requiring more transparency and explicit consent for data collection.

Customer control over data sharing

GM said customers will decide what data is shared, recordings have time limits and are encrypted, and GM and OnStar cannot access Connected Camera recordings. Third-party sharing is feature-specific and consent-based.