Industry Insights 03 Jan 2026 views ( )

Study Shows AI Cannot Transform Transportation Without Unprecedented Collaboration

A landmark study released today at the CoMotion GLOBAL summit in Riyadh reveals that artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping global mobility systems, yet most deployments remain isolated pilot projects without achieving scale, and the gap between AI's vision and real-world implementation continues to widen.

The report, titled "Envisioning the Future of Mobility Powered by AI," was jointly authored by the MIT Mobility Initiative and the Kearney Advanced Mobility Institute, analyzing feedback from 55 leading global organizations including Google, Lyft, Uber Freight, Deutsche Bahn, and NEOM. It examines the actual use of AI across transportation systems in Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, highlighting both breakthrough potential for scalable AI-driven mobility and fundamental challenges that remain.

The report identifies a key dynamic reshaping the industry: AI does not simply replicate human intelligence—it excels in certain functions but fails unpredictably in others. This "uneven capability boundary" creates both opportunities and risks within safety-critical transportation systems.

"The industry sees enormous opportunity, but also faces fragmentation," said John Moavenzadeh, Executive Director of the MIT Mobility Initiative. "Our research uncovers a paradox: the greater AI’s potential to deliver safe, clean, and equitable mobility, the harder it becomes to implement. Realizing this vision requires cross-border collaboration among governments, regulators, operators, and technology leaders to establish a shared understanding around impact, safety, and trust."

Key Findings

• AI applications remain fragmented: In areas such as network planning, autonomous driving, demand simulation, and crowd monitoring, most applications are still in pilot stages and have not achieved system-wide scalability
• System-level integration unlocks exponential value: When AI is deployed across entire systems—simultaneously optimizing fleets, infrastructure, energy use, and passenger flows—its potential increases dramatically, but this demands unprecedented public-private cooperation
• Human-AI collaboration is critical for safety: In some applications, combining AI with human operators enhances system safety; in others, human intervention reduces reliability. Striking the right balance has become a strategic imperative
• The implementation gap is widening: Without shared data infrastructure, interoperable standards, and coherent governance frameworks, regions risk developing competing, incompatible AI ecosystems

The study confirms that many of the highest-impact applications—including autonomous vehicle fleets, adaptive traffic control, and automated enforcement—are precisely those closest to the "uneven capability boundary."

"Cities are beginning to realize that AI is not just smarter algorithms—it fundamentally changes how control is distributed between humans and machines," said Dr. Christian Gasparic, Partner and Global Head of the Kearney Advanced Mobility Institute. "Accurately managing this balance has become a strategically significant and safety-critical decision that will determine which cities succeed in building next-generation mobility systems."

Kristin White, Head of Public Sector Mobility Strategy and Partnerships at Google, who contributed to the report, added: "Public mission and placing humans at the core of problem-solving are essential for AI to succeed, scale, and build safer, more resilient mobility systems."

Dr. Axel Sondermann, Member of the Executive Board at Deutsche Bahn, stated: "AI is already helping us deliver safe, reliable, and clean rail and bus services in Germany and beyond, improving customer satisfaction. This study shows that value is maximized when solutions are scaled across entire mobility systems. But unlocking AI’s full potential requires industry-wide standards and collaborative efforts. We are committed to collective action to create better, more resilient mobility services for everyone."

The report warns that progress now depends less on isolated innovations and more on ecosystem-level execution. Without coordination among public agencies, private operators, and technology providers, the vision of AI-powered mobility—safer streets, cleaner air, and more equitable access—may never be realized.

"We are proud to release this unprecedented AI study at the CoMotion GLOBAL summit in Riyadh," said John Rossant, Founder and CEO of CoMotion. "If the world wants clean, equitable, and safe mobility, the next leap forward won’t come from isolated technological breakthroughs, but from collaboration. Our responsibility is to bring together governments, operators, technologists, and cities to make this future real—not just imagined."

About CoMotion

CoMotion is a leading global platform convening the most influential leaders, corporations, startups, and policymakers to shape the future of mobility. Through flagship events in Riyadh, Los Angeles, and Miami, CoMotion fosters meaningful dialogue and drives investment to advance sustainable and equitable mobility worldwide.

For more information, visit www.comotionglobal.com.

About the Kearney Advanced Mobility Institute

The Kearney Advanced Mobility Institute (KAMI) is part of Kearney’s Foresight network, dedicated to helping businesses, governments, and nonprofits implement innovative mobility solutions. Its work spans the entire mobility ecosystem, using a unique data-driven approach to modernize and optimize transportation systems.

About the MIT Mobility Initiative

The MIT Mobility Initiative brings together expertise across MIT to create a global collaboration platform aimed at accelerating the development of safe, clean, and equitable mobility systems.

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