Uber engineers have developed an artificial intelligence powered version of Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi, in an internal experiment aimed at scaling executive communication and decision making frameworks across the organisation. The initiative reflects a growing corporate trend of using AI avatars and conversational systems to replicate leadership insights and make institutional knowledge more accessible to employees.
The AI system, described as a digital representation of Khosrowshahi, was built by Uber’s engineering teams to answer questions and provide guidance based on the CEO’s public communications, strategic priorities and documented viewpoints. The project was reportedly created as a proof of concept to explore how generative AI can capture and distribute executive thinking at scale.
According to details shared about the initiative, the AI version of Khosrowshahi was trained on transcripts of company meetings, public interviews, internal communications and other documented materials. By analysing patterns in language, tone and recurring themes, engineers sought to create a conversational interface that could respond to employee queries in a manner aligned with the CEO’s perspectives.
The experiment highlights how large language models are increasingly being deployed within enterprises beyond customer facing applications. While much of the attention around generative AI has focused on chatbots, content creation and coding assistance, companies are also exploring ways to embed AI into leadership workflows and internal knowledge systems.
For a global company such as Uber, which operates across multiple markets and business lines, ensuring alignment around strategy can be complex. An AI system that reflects executive priorities could potentially help managers and teams understand decision making principles without direct access to senior leadership. It could also serve as a training tool for new employees seeking clarity on company direction.
Uber has not positioned the AI CEO as a replacement for human leadership. Rather, the project appears to be an exploration of how generative AI can augment communication. By making executive insights searchable and interactive, the company may be seeking to reduce information silos and improve organisational efficiency.
Industry analysts note that the concept of AI avatars modelled on senior leaders raises both opportunities and concerns. On one hand, it can democratise access to institutional knowledge and reduce dependence on hierarchical communication channels. On the other hand, questions around accuracy, context and potential misinterpretation remain significant.
Generative AI systems rely on training data and probabilistic models to produce responses. Even when trained on carefully curated material, such systems can generate outputs that deviate from intended messaging. In a corporate environment, this risk underscores the importance of oversight and clear disclaimers regarding the scope of AI generated guidance.
The Uber experiment comes amid broader interest in AI driven digital twins, where organisations create virtual representations of individuals, processes or systems. In some industries, digital twins are used to simulate manufacturing operations or predict infrastructure performance. Extending the concept to executive communication represents a novel application of the technology.
From a martech perspective, the development signals how AI is reshaping internal branding and corporate storytelling. If leadership philosophies can be translated into interactive systems, companies may be able to maintain consistent messaging across geographies. However, maintaining authenticity remains a challenge, particularly when human nuance is filtered through algorithms.
The initiative also reflects Silicon Valley’s culture of rapid experimentation with emerging technologies. Technology companies have been early adopters of generative AI tools, integrating them into engineering, customer support and product design. Building an AI representation of a CEO can be seen as part of this broader innovation cycle.
Observers caution that while such tools can improve accessibility, they cannot fully replicate human judgement. Executive decisions often involve confidential considerations, evolving market conditions and interpersonal dynamics that extend beyond documented statements. As a result, AI systems may be best suited as supplementary resources rather than authoritative sources.
The experiment may also prompt discussions about consent and representation. Even within corporate settings, the creation of AI versions of individuals raises ethical considerations regarding voice, likeness and interpretation. Clear governance frameworks are likely to become increasingly important as similar projects emerge.
For Uber, the AI CEO project underscores its ongoing engagement with advanced technologies. The company has previously invested in autonomous vehicles, mapping systems and machine learning to optimise ride matching and pricing algorithms. Exploring generative AI for leadership communication represents another dimension of this technological focus.
As enterprises continue to test AI applications internally, the balance between innovation and accountability will remain central. Tools that enhance transparency and knowledge sharing can deliver measurable benefits. At the same time, organisations must guard against over reliance on automated systems in areas requiring human discretion.
Uber’s AI representation of Dara Khosrowshahi illustrates how generative AI is moving into new operational territories. Rather than being confined to customer interactions or software development, it is beginning to shape how companies codify and disseminate leadership thinking. Whether such systems become standard practice across corporate environments will depend on their effectiveness, governance and employee trust.
For now, the project stands as an example of how businesses are experimenting with AI to redefine internal communication. As adoption accelerates, similar initiatives may surface across industries seeking scalable ways to share strategic intent and executive insight.