Artificial intelligence noun The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence
Autocar UK|June 14, 2023
Can AI design or engineer cars better than humans? Jesse Crosse investigates
Jesse Crosse
Artificial intelligence noun The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence

Like it or not, artificial intelligence (AI) has arrived and is very likely here to stay. It sneaked into the public eye almost unnoticed and, on the one hand, it appears as a harmless plaything that can give more informed answers to questions than a search engine can. At the other extreme, there's concern that AI poses a threat to humankind on many levels beyond the obvious prospect of robots laying waste to the planet. Somewhere in between, though, AI is already proving its value in engineering for making cars better and safer.

So if AI can be both a threat and an invaluable tool, what exactly is it? Richard Ahlfeld founded AI software development firm Monolith in 2016 as a spin-off from his PhD in aerospace engineering at Imperial College. "There are many different things that fall into the category of artificial intelligence, whether it's GPT models or autonomous systems or autonomous cars," he says. "I think what Monolith does is probably the most sensible form of AI. It's the ability to learn from data, allowing you to understand something so complex that normally you wouldn't be able to understand it." When trying to assimilate masses of information manually, the more data there is, the greater the task. With AI, the more data it's given, the better the results are. "That makes machine learning from data a fantastic shortcut through the jungle of complex things," he adds.

Ahlfeld became even more convinced of this in the early days of his company during a collaboration with McLaren to speed up development cycles using AI. By training AI on the physics influencing the car from data captured driving a car on track, AI was able to predict the results of testing. "That means test less. You can essentially condense six weeks of testing into two weeks," he says.

This story is from the June 14, 2023 edition of Autocar UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 14, 2023 edition of Autocar UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM AUTOCAR UKView All
The venomous nature of the Cobra
Autocar UK

The venomous nature of the Cobra

Last week, Matt Prior drove a totally new kind of AC Cobra. This is a car with one of the strongest allures of all - but also an incredibly complex and controversial history.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 23, 2024
SKODA KAMIQ
Autocar UK

SKODA KAMIQ

A long getting-to-know-you trip to Spain reveals all

time-read
2 mins  |
October 23, 2024
THE SEVEN-YEAR TITCH
Autocar UK

THE SEVEN-YEAR TITCH

Outgoing baby Jag is plush, practical and now eminently affordable

time-read
2 mins  |
October 23, 2024
'Our time has come'
Autocar UK

'Our time has come'

Honda may be late to the EV party, but a barrage of bold new battery-powered cars is on the way. JAMES ATTWOOD speaks to boss Toshihiro Mibe at its R&D base to find out what's in store

time-read
8 mins  |
October 23, 2024
Lion kings
Autocar UK

Lion kings

Plush, powerful four-door cars are an endangered species - and now Peugeot has called time on its latest, the 508 PSE. STEPHEN DOBIE compares it with its most significant ancestor, the 505 GTI

time-read
6 mins  |
October 23, 2024
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Autocar UK

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Wolfsburg gives the lesser-known Golf PHEV a big-impact refresh

time-read
7 mins  |
October 23, 2024
PORSCHE PANAMERA GTS
Autocar UK

PORSCHE PANAMERA GTS

Stuttgart's latest 'bahnstormer targets driver appeal over outright punch

time-read
2 mins  |
October 23, 2024
MERCEDES-AMG GT 63 PRO
Autocar UK

MERCEDES-AMG GT 63 PRO

Hardcore variant of V8 sports car engineered with track days in mind

time-read
3 mins  |
October 23, 2024
TESLA REVEALS ROBOTAXI
Autocar UK

TESLA REVEALS ROBOTAXI

Firm unveils Cybercab coupé and 20-seat Robovan in autonomy push

time-read
2 mins  |
October 23, 2024
DACIA PLOTS AMBITIOUS EXPANDED EURO LINE-UP
Autocar UK

DACIA PLOTS AMBITIOUS EXPANDED EURO LINE-UP

Firm teases something different’ ahead of impending C-segment reveal

time-read
2 mins  |
October 23, 2024