Ford has hired 350 veteran engineers, including former employees and individuals from suppliers, in response to failures in artificial intelligence and automated systems to meet quality standards. Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s chief operating officer, stated that the company increasingly relied on automated quality systems, which yielded disappointing results. To address this, Ford is employing technical specialists to identify failure points before parts reach the production floor.
Charles Poon, Ford’s vice president of vehicle hardware engineering, acknowledged that there was a misconception about artificial intelligence’s role in ensuring high product quality based solely on design inputs. He emphasized that the introduction of AI alone would not guarantee the production of high-quality products.
Ford clarified that it is not abandoning its AI initiatives. Instead, the hired engineers, referred to as “gray beard” engineers, will assist in training younger staff and improving AI tools. This strategy is anticipated to contribute to $1 billion in cost reductions for Ford in the current year.
In addition to these measures, Ford achieved the top ranking among mainstream brands in the JD Power Initial Quality Survey released this week. This recognition highlights the company’s efforts to enhance product quality.
