02:54 28-12-2025
Why AI spending may cool by 2029—and how Ford could win
Gartner predicts automakers will slow AI spending by 2029. Why returns may disappoint—and how Ford’s focus on data and core tech could deliver an edge.
Artificial intelligence is already woven into the auto industry, but Gartner forecasts that by 2029 only 5% of carmakers will still be increasing their AI spending. For now, AI is helping manufacturers lift quality, accelerate production, and improve how they connect with customers. Even so, many won’t see meaningful returns, and interest in the technology is likely to cool as a result.
Pedro Pacheco at Gartner notes that automakers are currently swept up in a wave of AI euphoria, chasing ambitious targets without the required technological foundation. In practice, that sets them up for disappointment when the results inevitably fall short of expectations.
Even against that backdrop, Ford may keep investing in AI and gain an edge if it zeroes in on the underlying technology and data. In a market that is shifting fast, with new models arriving in 2026 and beyond, such focus can turn into a genuine advantage.