BMW has announced it is employing artificial intelligence to promote its i sub-brand of electric cars, with the service first being introduced in the UK. Dubbed “BMW i Genius” (as opposed to the human-based BMW Genius program) the service uses specially developed software “to interact with potential customers in a live question and answer format that works on a mobile format,” according to BMW’s release.
All users have to do is text in a question about BMW i and the i Genius system will instantly provide a “detailed and helpful answer.” I don’t know about you, by if I were a car salesman, I’d probably be worried reading this. And there’s more. BMW says the adaptive system is capable of interpreting words, the context of those words and “the sentiment behind each question” in order to respond – and also allows subsequent questions.
Basically, this means the BMW i Genius is capable of carrying a real-time conversation with the customer. The system was developed by a company called London Brand Management, the founder of which is only 19-years-old!
“BMW i Genius is capable of understanding each question and responding accurately every time just as if you were talking to an expert from the company. The system operates around the clock allowing the consumer to ask any question relating to the i cars but without the hassle of having to pick up the phone or go into a dealership,” said BMW Group UK marketing director Chris Brownridge.
To access the service, users have to text their question to the shortcode 84737. The program will then activate and provide answers about the BMW i3 or i8.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
