197: How the Automotive Industry is Democratizing AI from the Technicians to the Top

What happens when AI meets automotive repair? Can technology bridge the growing knowledge gap between seasoned mechanics and the next generation of technicians? And how will the “Right to Repair” movement reshape how vehicles are maintained in the future? In this episode of Innovation Storytellers Show, I sit down with Eric West, Chief Growth Officer at Convertible AI, to explore the intersection of AI, workforce training, and the future of vehicle diagnostics.  Eric shares his perspective on the hidden complexities behind the so-called "technician shortage" and explains why the issue goes far beyond a simple lack of workers. He highlights how AI can capture and distribute the knowledge of master mechanics, ensuring that valuable expertise is not lost as older generations of technicians retire. The ability to embed decades of experience into AI-powered diagnostic tools can revolutionize the way mechanics diagnose and repair vehicles, making training more efficient and ensuring accuracy in the repair process. One of the most significant shifts in the industry is the growing push for Right to Repair legislation. Eric discusses how this movement challenges the traditional power balance between independent repair shops and major automakers. As proprietary repair information becomes more accessible, AI-driven tools could empower smaller shops with the same level of technical insight as dealership service centers, ultimately creating a more competitive and consumer-friendly industry. The conversation also touches on the role of synthetic data in AI innovation. Eric explains how AI-generated datasets are helping businesses predict vehicle issues before they occur, providing a new level of preventative maintenance. With the ability to simulate real-world conditions and test different scenarios, synthetic data is allowing auto manufacturers and repair shops to stay ahead of potential problems, improving efficiency and reducing costly repairs. So, what does the future of AI-powered workforce training look like? How will AI reshape industries where hands-on expertise has always been essential? And most importantly, how do we ensure that innovation benefits the people who drive these industries forward? Let’s continue the conversation. ********** You have a limited offer you can use now, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code STORYTELLERS20 at checkout  You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/STORYTELLERS20

Om Podcasten

Did you ever wonder how an innovation got to its finish line? How innovators saw the future, made a product, and created change – in our world and in their companies? I did. Innovation Storytellers invites changemakers to describe how they created their innovation and just as important – THE STORIES – that made us fall in love with them. Come learn how great innovations need great stories to make them move around the world and how to become a better storyteller in the process. I’m Susan Lindner, the Innovation Storyteller. But I wasn’t always. I’ve been a wannabe revolutionary, an epidemiologist at the CDC and an AIDS educator in the brothels of Thailand helping to turn former sex workers into entrepreneurs. Trained as an anthropologist and the Founder of Emerging Media, I’ve spent the last twenty years working with innovators from 60+ countries. Ranging from cutting edge startups to Fortune 100 companies like GE, Corning, Citi, Olayan, and nine foreign governments, helping their leaders to tell their stories and teaching them how to become incredible advocates for their innovations. Great innovation stories make change possible. They let us step into a future we can’t see yet. I started this podcast to shine a light on our generation of great innovators, to learn how they brought their innovation to life and the stories they told to bring them to the world.