Uber Introduces New AI Programme to Get Drivers Going Green

Like so many other industries worldwide, the transport sector is evolving swiftly, spurred on by technological leaps and a mounting duty to act sustainably.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are at the forefront of this change, with governments and businesses alike striving to slash carbon emissions by introducing them.
This shift is vital for any company wanting to lower its Scope 1 emissions, but especially for taxi and courier companies whose entire businesses are based on transportation.
In a bold move designed to encourage its drivers to go green, Uber has introduced a new sustainability scheme powered by OpenAI.
What does Uber's new AI system do?
Uber has introduced a virtual assistant for its drivers, based on OpenAI's GPT-4o technology.
Offering custom-tailored advice, this digital aide will arm Uber's drivers with essential insights into EV benefits, local perks and charging logistics, marking a significant stride towards the firm's emission reduction ambitions.
It's free to use and drivers can interact with the system through text, voice and visuals.
This innovation was unveiled in London as part of Uber's Go-Get-Zero event, with plans for a US launch soon, eyeing a broader rollout subsequently.
Uber envisions the AI chatbot evolving by 2025, enabling it answer more questions as time goes by.
What else is Uber doing to cut fuel emissions?
Uber isn't new to the EV crusade, already pledging a whopping US$800m to make it easier for drivers to go green.
Results are already quite remarkable, with Reuters reporting that around 180,000 Uber drivers are moving to electric vehicles every month in North America and Europe alone.
But Uber's ambition doesn't stop with AI. It also includes a mentorship scheme linking seasoned EV navigators with novices to exchange tips, as well as a scheme offering US$50,000 grants to help green-minded UberEats restaurants with their own sustainability drives.
The California-headquartered company is also organising pop-up events to let customers experience the allure of electric vehicles themselves, featuring high-performance and luxury models.
Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, is pleased with the speed of progress in Uber's green transition so far.
He says: "Uber drivers are adopting EVs five times faster than the average motorist in the US, Canada and Europe. In London, nearly 30% of all miles driven on Uber are now electric."
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