Rivian is turning up the heat in the electric vehicle game — and this time, it’s not about range or horsepower. It’s about artificial intelligence.
The EV maker just appointed Aidan Gomez, the co-founder and CEO of generative AI startup Cohere, to its board of directors. The news came via a regulatory filing and is a clear sign that Rivian is getting serious about software, autonomy, and AI innovation.
Who Is Aidan Gomez?
Gomez is no lightweight. He’s a data scientist, an AI expert, and one of the brains behind Cohere — a startup that builds large language models (LLMs) for companies like Oracle and Notion.
He’s now officially on Rivian’s board until 2026. And his arrival comes at a very strategic time.
Why This Is a Big Deal
Rivian isn’t just building electric trucks anymore. With a $5.8 billion joint venture with Volkswagen Group in the works, the company is doubling down on something even bigger: AI-powered vehicle platforms.
This venture will tap into Rivian’s deep software and electrical know-how, license its tech to others, and possibly bring in revenue streams that go beyond just EV sales.
Gomez’s role strengthens this pivot — helping Rivian become not just an EV maker, but a tech powerhouse in the space of autonomous driving and smart vehicle software.
Rivian’s Own AI Projects Are Already Underway
It turns out Rivian has been working on an AI assistant for its vehicles since 2023. Think voice commands, predictive features, and smart vehicle management.
According to Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid, this AI system operates outside of the Volkswagen partnership — meaning Rivian’s building its own AI muscle, not just relying on joint ventures.
Wall Street Is Watching Closely
Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas says Rivian’s real value might lie in its software and autonomy platforms — not just the physical trucks. He called the upcoming months “consequential” for Rivian’s place in the AI-powered autonomy race.
“We see scope for Rivian to play a more important role in AI-enabled autonomy,” Jonas said. “This isn’t just another EV company — it’s a U.S.-based software-defined platform that’s going toe-to-toe with Tesla.”
What This Means for the EV Market
With Aidan Gomez now on board, Rivian isn’t just aiming to compete in the EV space. It’s pushing to lead the next wave of vehicle intelligence — using generative AI, real-time data processing, and advanced autonomy to reshape what an electric vehicle can do.
If Rivian plays its cards right, this could become a major turning point — transforming it into a full-blown tech company on wheels.
Your Thoughts?
Do you think Rivian’s focus on AI gives it an edge over other EV makers?
Would you feel confident riding in a fully autonomous Rivian one day?
Drop your thoughts in the comments!
