Chapter 10: Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Circular Manufacturing in Automotive Industry

The chapter explores the possibility of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) as a transformative force in the context of accelerating the transition of the automotive industry to the model of a circular economy. It starts by outlining the guiding principles of circularity, comparing them to the traditional linear take-make-dispose paradigm, and focuses on the urgency of environmental and economic needs that require this shift. Then it discusses the relevant problems that accompany this transition, especially the problems of material complexity, waste management and the disaggregation of lifecycle data. At the core of the analysis is the presentation of the ability of AGI to transform several levels of the automotive value chain, including the generative design targeted at environmentally friendly vehicles, optimisation of production processes through intelligent automation and predictive quality control, the reinforcement of efficiency in the supply chain and the establishment of advanced reverse logistics systems for used vehicles. The chapter highlights how AGI-led data analytics, IoT integration and Digital Twins will have a central role in creating a responsive, self-optimising industrial ecosystem. Finally, the vision here is an AGI-based regenerative automotive industry that not only secures the resources and develops new sources of income but also constantly innovates, thus going beyond sustainability to significantly improve the environmental and economic wellbeing.