Detroit drivers are about to get a lot chattier with their dashboards. General Motors announced yesterday that it is rolling Google’s Gemini conversational AI into millions of its vehicles, upgrading the in-car Google Assistant in many recent Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC models. The over-the-air upgrade will be phased in over several months for eligible model-year 2022 and newer vehicles, and drivers should see a notice on their center displays when the update is ready. GM is pitching the move as a short-term boost while it works on a deeper OnStar-centric AI experience for future models.
Which cars are eligible
According to General Motors, Gemini will roll out to model-year 2022 and newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles that come with Google Built-in, which the company says covers about 4 million vehicles in the U.S. GM calls it one of the largest in-car deployments of Gemini so far and says the new assistant will replace the existing Google Assistant with a more natural, conversational style. The company is highlighting multitasking across navigation, messaging and entertainment, along with features geared toward commercial drivers such as smarter route planning.
How the update arrives
GM spokeswoman Anna Yu said the Gemini upgrade will arrive as an automatic Play Store update to the Google Assistant app on cars that have the right software, and that there is no extra charge for the update itself. 9to5Google notes that the rollout will be staggered over several months and that owners will see an on-screen message when their vehicle is ready to download the new assistant.
How to turn it on
GM says you need to be connected to OnStar, signed in to the Google Play Store on the vehicle, using U.S. English as your assistant language, and opt in to Gemini to access the new features. The company also cautions that some functions will depend on subscriptions or app linking and that compatibility can vary by model and trim, so an active OnStar plan and the right in-car account setup may be required.
Privacy and what to watch
The timing lands in the middle of renewed scrutiny over connected-car data practices. In January, the Federal Trade Commission finalized an order that restricts how GM and OnStar may collect, use and share precise geolocation and driving-behavior data. The order requires explicit consent mechanisms, tools for deletion and opt-out, and other guardrails that owners should review before switching on new AI features. TechCrunch and other outlets note that GM plans to train a more deeply integrated, vehicle-specific assistant over time, but for now, the automaker is leaning on Google Gemini as the bridge to that future.
Bottom line
If you are wondering whether your car is in line for Gemini, check your center display for the Google Built-in indicator, make sure you are signed into the Play Store in the car, and keep an eye out for the infotainment notice GM says it will send when your vehicle is eligible. The update itself should be free, but if you are uneasy about data sharing, it is worth taking a moment to review your OnStar and assistant privacy settings before you opt in.
