Rivian Elects Cohere’s CEO to Its Board in Latest Signal the EV Maker Is Bullish on AI
AI Visionary Joins Rivian’s Leadership
Electric vehicle innovator Rivian has made a strategic move by appointing Aidan Gomez, co-founder and CEO of generative AI powerhouse Cohere, to its board of directors. This decision, revealed in a recent SEC filing, signals Rivian’s strong commitment to integrating advanced AI technologies into its vehicles and operations.
Why This Appointment Matters
The EV manufacturer expanded its board specifically to bring Gomez on board, with his term set to run through 2026. This isn’t just another executive appointment – it’s a clear statement about Rivian’s technological ambitions.
Gomez’s Impressive AI Credentials
Gomez brings formidable expertise to Rivian’s leadership:
- Founded Cohere in 2019, specializing in enterprise AI foundation models
- Former Google Brain researcher under AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton
- Co-authored the groundbreaking 2017 paper “Attention Is All You Need” that revolutionized transformer models
- Current clients include tech giants like Oracle and Notion
AI Meets Automotive Innovation
Rivian’s AI ambitions extend across multiple fronts:
Volkswagen Joint Venture
The company is currently developing a $5.8 billion software partnership with Volkswagen Group. This collaboration will see Rivian:
- Share its electrical architecture expertise
- License intellectual property
- Potentially create technology for third-party licensing
In-House AI Development
Separate from the VW partnership, Rivian has been working since 2023 on:
- An AI assistant framework for its vehicles
- Advanced orchestration layer technology
Strategic Vision for AI Integration
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe emphasized the strategic importance of this appointment, stating Gomez’s expertise will help integrate “cutting-edge technologies into our products, services, and manufacturing.”
This move positions Rivian not just as an EV manufacturer, but as a potential leader in automotive AI solutions – a critical differentiator in the increasingly competitive electric vehicle market.