Waymo may use interior camera data to train generative AI models, sell ads

Waymo is preparing for the use of data from his robotaxis, including video from interior cameras that are bound by the identities of the rider, to train generative AI models, according to a non -depicted version of his privacy policy Found by researcher Jane Manchun Wong.

The draft language reveals that Waymo can also share this data to personalize advertisements, so that new questions are called about how much of the behavior of a driver in autonomous vehicles can be reused for AI training and marketing.

The privacy page states: “Waymo can share data to improve and analyze its functionality and to adjust products, services, advertisements and offers to your interests. You can unsubscribe to share your information with third parties, unless this is necessary to function the operation of the service.”

That language is standard in today’s world; Bringing cameras in the mix is ​​what accelerates the creepiness factor.

Waymo gives drivers the option to prevent their personal information, as defined by the privacy laws of California, is shared or sold. Riders can also: “Out -out of Waymo, or his affiliated companies, using your personal information (including interior camera -data linked to your identity) for training [generative AI]. “

It is not clear which interior data can be used to train generative AI models, or what the intended usage scenarios of such models are. It is also not clear what type of data the interior cameras record – facial expressions? Body language? -or that Waymo uses the data to train internal models or that it shares that data with other alphabet companies that work on AI such as Google or DeepMind.

WAN has contacted Waymo for more information and will update this message if the company responds.

To date, Waymo is the only autonomous vehicle company that draws income for Robotaxi rides in the United States. From February, the company registers more than 200,000 paid Robotaxi rides every week through its commercial services in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix and Austin. That is more than 10,000 journeys a week just two years ago and is a harbinger of more growth as Waymo expands to new markets. The company wants to launch a commercial service in Atlanta, Miami and Washington in the coming two years.

Despite these profits, Waymo is probably still a loser for alphabet, which is the reason why the company seems to investigate other income flows, such as advertisements in the vehicle and data exchange for generative AI models.

Last year Alphabet donated another $ 5 billion in Waymo, and the company raised an extra $ 5.6 billion from external investors who raised its appreciation to more than $ 45 billion.

Waymo is still investing heavily in R&D and incorporates the expansion costs, including growing the fleet, buying specialized equipment, vehicle maintenance and charging infrastructure.

It is not clear how far Waymo is by even breaking, much less profitability. Alphabet does not break out the financial data of Waymo in his winning report. Instead, Waymo is included in the “Other bets” section of Alphabet van de Balans, which in 2024 taken an operational loss from $ 1.2 billion.