In recent years, the world has witnessed an extraordinary transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and its various subsets. One of the most promising and impactful applications of AI is generative AI, or gen AI, which has been steadily making its mark across industries. From creating realistic images to generating human-like text, generative AI has proven its prowess.
Throughout my career, I've held the belief that this era is an exceptional one to exist in, and the present moment isn't an exception. I've been witness to the early stages of the internet revolution at the commencement of my career. I've observed the mobile revolution that stirred several other domains. However, the essence of Gen AI feels distinct.
At Zendrive, we’re pioneering key conversations around the “art of the possible” with gen AI in telematics. In the first of a series of posts on this topic, I’ll hone in on how generative AI could massively transform and improve hyper-personalization and coaching in telematics.
How generative AI could revolutionalize traditional telematics: Hyper-personalization and coaching
Telematics has long been a vital tool for auto insurance companies to gather data about their policyholders' driving behaviors. However, traditional telematics solutions have faced challenges.
The main focus here has been on gathering data on how we drive. Of course, understanding and analyzing risk is a big part of that. But the real game-changer is using this data to actually shape how we drive. We've made some progress in this area, mostly thanks to telematics solutions that show data to users. But this approach often falls short of what we really need. Data remains data — there’s an absence of context and personalization. Essentially, it is raw driving behavior data, devoid of insight.
Enter generative AI, which offers a breakthrough solution by leveraging its ability to understand patterns, simulate scenarios, and create hyper-personalized content. This technology has the potential to not only address the shortcomings of traditional telematics but also unlock a realm of possibilities when it comes to driver coaching and, ultimately, behavior change.
Accessing your very own personal driving coach
Generative AI can actually have real conversations with people. It can take all that data and turn it into a special driving coach, like a super-smart AI mentor. Drivers can receive real-time feedback on their driving habits, trip summaries, and even personalized coaching tips to enhance their skills.
Moreover, this AI coach excels in perpetuating ongoing guidance. Effective coaching surpasses feedback delivery—it extends to making drivers better and roads safer. Did the advice work out well? If yes, drivers get a reward. But if there's room for improvement, the AI coach jumps in with questions, trying to find ways to step up the game. These are the fascinating new things that generative AI brings to the table.
When you fuse Mobility Risk Intelligence (MRI) data with the skills of generative AI, it's clear that it can completely change how we drive. It's not just about showing data anymore; this newfound accessibility to information empowers drivers to take charge of their driving behaviors and make safer choices.
We form a sort of partnership where data helps AI come up with smart ideas, and those ideas help us drive better. The results are big: safer roads and better driving habits.
A hypothetical driving coach scenario
Let’s explore a practical example. In the past, my driving score on a scale of zero to a hundred was readily available. Similarly, behavior scores like braking or phone use were ranked on a scale from zero to five. But what’s been lacking is the provision of personalized and actionable information tailored to my specific circumstances.
Every morning, as I make the turn from my street to Main Street, I tend to execute a sharp, high-speed maneuver. Yet, the current setup doesn't highlight this particular behavior; it merely contributes to my "hard turn" score.
Now, imagine a generative AI model providing precise feedback: "At this location in the morning, your driving behavior involves this maneuver. Consider that during rainy or icy conditions, this action might lead to challenges." Essentially, it's akin to having a coach dedicated to improving this aspect of my commute.
Our interaction would progress, and after a span of 15 days, I'd receive feedback like: "You've done exceptionally well! Your speeds while turning at this specific intersection were 20% lower than usual." This form of feedback holds genuine significance. It underscores the positive impact of my efforts in reducing specific driving risks.
Unique consumer benefits of generative AI in telematics
The integration of generative AI into MRI opens up a world of unique benefits for all stakeholders involved.
Consumers gain access to a wealth of insights that can help them become better drivers while enjoying potential cost savings on insurance premiums. But here, a crucial aspect arises: How can we transform this delivery of personalized data into content that users actively engage with every day? How can we incite their sustained attention? The challenge lies in imbuing the notion of safety with an appeal that captivates users' interest.
Going beyond safety: Ancillary benefits
We tend to feel pretty safe in our cars. Why? Well, accidents don't happen that often – maybe once every 14 years. The fact that accidents are rare can make us believe that we’re protected by default, especially with helpful new features like collision alerts and auto-braking.
But here's the twist: safety often slips our minds. We get this false sense of security, and this is when we stop being as careful as we should be. To tackle this, we need to combine safety with other engaging products and features. Mobility Risk Intelligence, in particular, extends beyond driving safety. It encompasses the entire mobility experience, amalgamating mobility intelligence with risk as just one facet.
Imagine having a personal assistant in our cars that takes care of lots of things in our lives, not just safety. This entity can bolster our safety, efficiency, optimization, and even family connections. It strips away the nonessential, streamlining our lives. This holistic evolution is the big picture we're aiming for.
Vehicle mileage and efficiency
With gen AI, drivers may have the ability to learn about the impact of their driving behavior on their vehicle's mileage. This information can facilitate more informed decisions regarding maintenance and fuel efficiency, leading to cost savings over time. It also promotes a heightened awareness of the environmental footprint of individual driving behaviors, encouraging eco-friendly practices.
Commuting patterns
Imagine having access to real-time traffic updates, road conditions, and incident alerts tailored to your driving habits. Insights into commuting patterns could guide us on the most suitable mode of transportation at a given point in time.
Generative AI can provide drivers with smarter and safer commute choices by analyzing historical and real-time data. By offering alternative routes and suggesting optimal travel times, this feature could lead to reduced congestion, shorter commute times, and ultimately a more pleasant driving experience. This data-driven approach could also contribute to alleviating traffic congestion in urban areas, making roads safer and more efficient for everyone.
Community engagement
Generative AI can take community engagement to a new level by offering contextualized comparisons with other drivers in the same family or region. Beyond personal improvement, this feature fosters healthy competition among peers, encouraging better driving habits and contributing to a collective improvement in road safety. The sense of community that emerges from shared goals and achievements can lead to a more conscious and responsible driving culture.
Personalized discounts and incentives from other brands
The partnership possibilities that generative AI enables are boundless. Insurers can collaborate with safety-conscious brands to offer personalized discounts and incentives to policyholders based on their driving behavior. This can extend beyond insurance premiums and involve discounts on various products and services.
For instance, a safety-conscious driving score could lead to discounted rates on vehicle maintenance services, car accessories, or even collaborations with ride-sharing services. This not only rewards safe driving but also encourages positive behavior both on and off the road.
Transforming Mobility Risk Intelligence with generative AI
Generative AI is poised to revolutionize MRI by offering hyper-personalization, intuitive coaching, and unparalleled insights. With the potential to redefine the relationship between insurers, their partners, and consumers, it opens up opportunities for a safer and more connected future on the roads.
As for Zendrive’s future with generative AI specifically, we’re still figuring it all out. But if I had to make a prediction from my newly reoccupied CTO seat, this gen AI wave could touch every corner of our operations. It will likely shake up how we interact with customers, how we build software behind the scenes, and even how we think about creating value.
From sprucing up our engineering to giving our product managers sharper insights into customers and markets, there's so much potential. Perhaps the most exciting part is how our products for end-users and clients could change: the idea that we can tap into our massive database for brand-new, groundbreaking insights.
I’m buckling up for a thrilling journey.
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