Ford’s new AI assistant will help fleet owners know if seatbelts are being used

This week, Ford introduced a groundbreaking AI assistant designed to help fleet owners track vital metrics like seatbelt usage and vehicle performance. The initiative is part of Ford's strategy to capitalize on software solutions, recognizing the financial potential they hold, even when offered at no cost. Debuting at Work Truck Week in Indianapolis, the Ford Pro AI is now accessible to all U.S.-based subscribers of Ford's Pro telematics service, although the automaker has not disclosed the exact number of U.S. subscribers. However, it boasts over 840,000 global subscribers. The Ford Pro division, which reported a revenue of $66.3 billion in 2025, aims to provide added value to its customers as it explores new revenue streams. Earlier this year, Ford announced plans to launch a similar AI assistant for its passenger vehicles, which will be integrated into a smartphone app and is set to expand into cars and trucks by 2027. According to Ford, this AI assistant goes beyond traditional chatbots, offering users comprehensive insights into fuel efficiency, seatbelt compliance, and overall vehicle health, rather than just generic error codes. The assistant can also deliver critical information on fleet operations, such as idle times, speeding incidents, and acceleration patterns. Built on Google Cloud, Ford Pro AI utilizes various AI agents and leverages internal customer data to minimize the risks of inaccuracies commonly associated with AI technologies. The Ford Pro division, which serves commercial, government, and rental sectors alongside Super Duty trucks, has proven to be a lucrative segment for Ford, with a reported net income of $6.8 billion in 2025. The company noted a 30% increase in paid software subscriptions for Ford Pro during the same year. Despite these advancements, Ford executives have voiced concerns about potential job reductions due to the increasing reliance on AI. CEO Jim Farley previously indicated that advancements in AI could lead to a significant decrease in white-collar jobs across the United States, while emphasizing the need for essential workers to support the infrastructure necessary for ambitious AI objectives.