At CES 2026, Cox Automotive’s Chief Product Officer, Marianne Johnson, shared a bold vision for the future of work in automotive: one powered by agentic systems, data-driven decision making, and responsible AI. Her message was clear: the time to act is now. This transformation isn’t just about us. It’s about giving your dealership access to AI capabilities that weren’t possible even 18 months ago with the quality, speed and innovation in Cox Automotive solutions you use every day. Here’s what she shared and why it matters for your business.
AI as a Foundation for Business Operations
Marianne emphasized that AI is no longer just a tool, it is a foundational element for business operations. For example: In just four days, Cox Automotive built an agentic workflow that used proprietary data and multi-agent orchestration to automate inspections, ensure accurate billing, and deliver consistent recommendations. By deploying real-time, collaborative AI agents, we transformed a manual, technician-driven process into a production-ready solution, reducing turnaround from two days to under 30 minutes and boosting satisfaction for both customers and technicians.
The Shift to an AI-First Mindset
Marianne also urged leaders to adopt an AI-first mindset, moving beyond incremental improvements to reimagining entire workflows. Becoming AI native means leveraging autonomous agents that act, learn, and deliver outcomes with minimal human intervention.
Managing a Hybrid Workforce
As AI transforms the workplace, managing a hybrid workforce of humans and agents requires new leadership skills. Marianne highlighted the importance of empowering employees, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that every team member is equipped to thrive in the AI era.
Building Trust and Security in AI
Trust and security are paramount in AI implementation. Marianne stressed the need for responsible AI practices, including audit trails, decision logs, and human oversight. “AI cannot be a black box,” she noted. Transparency and reliability are essential to building customer trust and maintaining operational integrity.
Data as a Competitive Advantage
“Data is your moat,” Marianne emphasized. In the AI landscape, proprietary and connected data sets are a key differentiator. Cox Automotive leverages its unique data to enhance customer experiences, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge.
Real-World Applications and Customer Experience
From agentic workflow systems to hyper-personalized CRM solutions, Cox Automotive is demonstrating how AI can transform customer experiences. These real-world applications are driving measurable improvements in engagement, conversion, and satisfaction.
Leading the Transformation with Intention
Marianne’s call to action was clear: leaders must embrace change and lead with intention. Collaboration across teams and organizations is essential for successful AI integration. “The question is not whether AI will transform your industry or whether it’s going to transform automotive. It is whether you will lead that transformation with intention and with heart. So, let’s talk about moving forward together to take full advantage of what is now possible and do it responsibly. This is not about theory. It’s about practical action and the time to act is now.”
