General Motors has embraced AI/ML technology to revolutionize vehicle development, entering what Chief Product Officer Sterling Anderson calls the "third epoch of engineering and design." This approach replaces the traditional empirical iterative methods and sequential processes of the past with a unified, probabilistic methodology that dramatically accelerates development cycles.

One minute is all GM now needs for FEA runs that previously took 15 hours, enabling engineers to test thousands of design variations instead of waiting overnight for results. This speed transforms how engineers approach vehicle development, allowing simultaneous optimization of hardware and software components rather than the previous sequential "baton passing" between departments.

The technology extends across GM's entire portfolio, from motorsports partnerships with NASCAR and Formula One to energy systems, defense applications, and even lunar programs. Virtual environments now handle everything from crash testing to HVAC optimization, while digital twins of assembly lines identify potential issues before physical installation. This comprehensive virtual approach represents a fundamental shift from "build it to test it" to "test it before you build it."