From Sci-Fi to Sci-Fact: An Inside Look at AI in Autonomous Vehicles with Kodiak’s Michael Wiesinger

Timothy Papandreou , the host of Conversations in the Park, had the pleasure of sitting down with Michael Wiesinger , VP of Commercialization & GM of the Transportation Sector at Kodiak . They explored the exciting yet challenging journey of bringing AI in autonomous vehicles (AVs) from science fiction to a day-to-day reality. Here is the exclusive interview between these two:

Tim Papandreou:

"Michael, Kodiak has been leading the charge in the autonomous vehicle space, taking something that was once considered ‘sci-fi’ and making it a reality. Can you walk us through what that transformation looks like and how you ensure that safety remains the top priority as you push the boundaries of what’s possible?"

Michael Wiesinger:

"Absolutely, Tim. You have to go back and think about what you’re actually comparing yourselves to. Every year in the United States alone, there are more than 40,000 fatal accidents—94% of which are caused by human error. That’s a huge problem, and we’re here to solve it. Our focus at Kodiak has always been on making things safer.

When you talk about innovation, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of what’s new and what’s possible. But for us, safety is the initial thing we want to solve for. We start by setting a safety bar—initially, that means being safer than the average human driver, which is a pretty low bar considering the current statistics. From there, we continuously raise that bar as we learn and improve.

At the same time, we know that it's not just about technology—it's about trust. Our customers need to feel confident that their goods are being delivered safely and reliably. And the public needs to trust that autonomous vehicles are a positive development for road safety."

Tim Papandreou:

"You mentioned the staggering number of fatalities caused by human error. With AI in AVs, there’s always the hope that we can reduce these numbers significantly. But there’s also the ethical dilemma—how do you balance the need for progress with the responsibility to protect all road users?"

Michael Wiesinger:

"That’s a great question. We recognize that there’s an ethical obligation to ensure that our technology benefits everyone, not just a select group of road users. It’s not enough to reduce accidents by 20% if it means that vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists—are at a greater risk.

So, part of our process involves continuous testing and data analysis. We look at every possible scenario to make sure that our systems are not only reducing the overall number of accidents but also doing so in a way that’s equitable. And we’re transparent about this process. We communicate with our customers, the public, and regulators to make sure everyone understands what we’re doing and why."

Tim Papandreou:

"There’s been a lot of public skepticism around AVs, especially when incidents occur. How does Kodiak handle communication and maintain trust in an environment where every mistake can be headline news?"

Michael Wiesinger:

"It’s true that the public’s perception can be influenced by isolated incidents, even if the overall safety record of AVs is strong. That’s why transparency is so critical. When we test or deploy autonomous vehicles, we make sure that people are informed about what we’re doing.

We communicate clearly with our customers and the public, explaining the safety measures we have in place and the steps we’re taking to ensure that our vehicles operate safely on the road. For example, last year we started deploying driverless vehicles on private roads, where the environment is more controlled. This allows us to fine-tune our technology in a safer setting before moving to more complex environments.

By being upfront and transparent, we build trust and show that we’re committed to safety above all else."

Tim Papandreou:

"Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of autonomous vehicles, and where do you see the biggest challenges?"

Michael Wiesinger:

"I’m excited about the potential to truly revolutionize transportation. We’re on the brink of a future where autonomous vehicles make our roads safer, our supply chains more efficient, and our cities more livable.

But with that comes the challenge of integration. It’s not just about perfecting the technology; it’s about ensuring that society is ready for it. That means continuing to engage with regulators, the public, and other stakeholders to create an environment where autonomous vehicles can thrive. It’s a complex process, but the potential rewards make it all worthwhile."

Tim Papandreou:

"Finally, Michael, I’d love to get your take on this: if autonomous vehicles can reduce road fatalities by 20%, should we consider that a success, or should we be aiming for more?"

Michael Wiesinger:

"A 20% reduction is definitely a significant start—it means thousands of lives saved each year. But it’s also just the beginning. We can’t stop there. The goal should always be continuous improvement, pushing that number higher and higher until we’ve minimized road fatalities as much as humanly—or, in this case, technologically—possible.

We have to keep raising the bar, keep innovating, and keep pushing forward. But I do think that if we can reduce fatalities by 20%, we’re on the right path. It’s proof that this technology is working and that we’re moving in the right direction."

Conclusion

Tim Papandreou: "Michael, thank you for sharing your insights today. It’s clear that Kodiak is not just making science fiction a reality, but also redefining what’s possible in terms of safety and innovation. I’m excited to see where you take things next."

Michael Wiesinger: "Thank you, Tim. It’s been a pleasure discussing these important topics with you."

We hope you enjoyed this inside look of AI in autonomous vehicles. You can watch the latest episode of Conversations in the Park now on YouTube, or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: