Tesla, Inc. (TSLA.US) and Mercedes-Benz have been approved to provide generative AI assistant services in China.

According to reports, Tesla, Inc. (TSLA.US) and Mercedes-Benz have become the first foreign companies to register as generative artificial intelligence service providers in China. This development means that both car manufacturers can now register their AI assistants in China for responding to customer service inquiries. China launched the generative AI service registration system in April 2024, requiring suppliers to obtain government approval before providing such technology to consumers. The regulatory process includes technical reviews and compliance with local network security and data standards to ensure that AI models meet national requirements before deployment. Tesla, Inc.'s voice assistant system in the Chinese market uses AI models from DeepSeek and ByteDance to provide in-car voice recognition, navigation, and music control functions. The electric car manufacturer's Shanghai xBot AI service is expected to meet Chinese users' expectations for intelligent car features. Mercedes-Benz plans to use Skylark, an AI-driven virtual assistant owned by TikTok, to serve the newly launched all-electric CLA model in China. The assistant supports voice interactions, smart navigation, and advanced cockpit control, with the company expecting to serve over 70,000 cars annually by 2026. The new CLA comes equipped with Mercedes' latest human-machine interaction system aimed at providing a more personalized and intuitive in-car experience. Volvo Cars, controlled by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, has also been granted permission to legally use generative AI services.