Ford to Launch AI Digital Assistant, Announces Major Changes in BlueCruise Technology

Staff Report: PNN

Ford, one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, has announced a new AI-powered digital assistant and advanced autonomous driving technology. At the CES 2026 event in the U.S. on Wednesday, Ford said the AI assistant will initially be available via a smartphone app and will gradually be integrated into vehicles from 2027.

The company also revealed the next generation of its BlueCruise driver-assist system, claiming that the new version will be about 30% cheaper to produce and more capable. Long-term goals include implementing “eyes-off driving” technology by 2028.

Ford’s announcement at CES was part of a discussion titled “Great Minds,” focusing on the connection between technology and human life, rather than a grand keynote address.

The AI assistant will be hosted on Google Cloud and built using existing large language models. Importantly, the assistant will have deep access to vehicle-specific information, allowing users to ask both general questions (e.g., how many bags of mulch a truck bed can hold) and real-time vehicle data questions (e.g., engine oil level).

The assistant will debut in the redesigned Ford app in early 2026 and be available in cars starting in 2027. Ford has not specified which models will receive the feature first or how the in-car experience will look. Comparable systems from other manufacturers, like Rivian and Tesla, already allow messaging, complex navigation, and climate control via AI assistants.

The new BlueCruise system is expected to first appear in a medium-sized pickup truck built on Ford’s Universal Electric Vehicle platform in 2027. The system will support point-to-point autonomy, meaning the car can drive automatically from one location to another, though drivers must remain ready to take control if needed.

Overall, Ford’s AI assistant and advanced autonomous driving technology indicate major upcoming changes in the driving experience.