## Rivian Accelerates AI Ambitions with Cohere CEO Appointment
Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian is doubling down on its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, electing Aidan Gomez, co-founder and CEO of generative AI startup Cohere, to its board of directors. The move, revealed in a recent regulatory filing, signals Rivian’s commitment to integrating AI into its operations and solidifying its position as a software leader in the automotive industry.
Gomez, whose term will run until 2026, brings a wealth of experience in data science and AI to Rivian. Before launching Cohere in 2019, he was a researcher at Google Brain, the deep learning division headed by Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton. Notably, Gomez co-authored the groundbreaking 2017 paper “Attention Is All You Need,” which laid the groundwork for many of today’s advanced generative AI models.
Rivian’s interest in AI extends beyond internal applications. The company is currently engaged in a significant $5.8 billion joint venture with Volkswagen Group to develop cutting-edge software. Under the agreement, Rivian will share its expertise in electrical architecture, potentially licensing existing intellectual property rights to the joint venture. While the venture’s primary focus is on serving VW brands, there is potential to commercialize the technology for other companies in the future.
Furthermore, Rivian has been independently developing an AI assistant for its EVs since 2023. According to Wassym Bensaid, Rivian’s chief software officer, this project, focusing on the orchestration layer for the AI assistant, is separate from the VW joint venture.
“Aidan’s thinking and expertise will support Rivian as we integrate new, cutting-edge technologies into our products, services, and manufacturing,” stated Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe, highlighting the significance of Gomez’s appointment.
By welcoming Gomez to its board, Rivian is strategically positioning itself to leverage the power of AI, not only to enhance its vehicles and internal processes but also to become a key player in the evolving automotive software landscape. The appointment underscores the growing importance of AI in the automotive industry and Rivian’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation.