Design will be done by AI…my successor is a machine

• Mercedes-Benz design chief Gordon Wagener predicts AI will dominate car design within 10 years
• Wagener said Mercedes is already using AI in car design
• Wagener said digital screens aren’t luxury and that Mercedes will shift focus is craftsmanship and sophistication

Mercedes-Benz design chief Gorden Wagener believes artificial intelligence will play an increasingly dominant role in automotive design, potentially evolving to a point where AI is responsible for nearly all aspects of the creative process.

In an interview with ABC News published on Feb. 23, Wagener acknowledged that AI-driven design is still in its early stages but noted that Mercedes has already integrated AI into its design workflow.

He predicted that AI will drastically transform automotive design and suggested that within a decade, the technology could render most car designers obsolete. He admitted that, at present, 99% of AI-generated designs are “crap,” but the remaining 1% is “good stuff” and improving every day.

“My successor will be a machine and will be much cheaper than my salary,” he joked.

Beyond automobiles, Wagener has recently expanded his design influence to include Mercedes-Benz-branded luxury apartment towers in Dubai and Miami. However, his primary focus remains the future of car design, where AI is expected to become an indispensable tool.

During the interview, Wagener also addressed criticism surrounding Mercedes-Benz’s recent electric vehicle designs, particularly the EQS sedan, which has faced slow sales. The EQS’s jelly bean-like form, designed for aerodynamics, was described by Wagener as “progressive” and potentially ahead of its time. However, Mercedes appears to be shifting away from this design language, opting for future EVs to more closely resemble their gas-powered counterparts.

Wagener also expressed skepticism about the growing prevalence of digital screens in modern car interiors. Despite Mercedes-Benz boasting one of the largest automotive displays—the 56-inch Hyperscreen—he questioned their role in luxury. “Screens are not luxury,” he said, emphasizing that Mercedes-Benz will focus more on craftsmanship and sophistication in future models.

He further noted that customers tend to perceive EVs as electronic devices, whereas gas-powered cars are seen as long-lasting, timeless objects, akin to Chrono watches. Wagener suggested that Mercedes-Benz will distinguish its EVs by making them feel more like a smart home rather than a mobile phone, particularly as self-driving technology becomes more prominent. However, he noted that the prospect of a fully self-driving car is still a long way off.