Today, I’m talking with Wassym Bensaid, the chief software officer at Rivian, and the co-ceo of Rivian’s platform joint venture with Volkswagen. That joint venture, called RV Tech, is about a year and a half old, so I wanted to ask Wassym how it all works and Rivian’s ongoing relationship with Volkswagen. 

Because it’s Rivian, I also had to ask Wassym about CarPlay. But the company also just launched an AI-powered voice assistant, which I got to try early. So I had a lot of fun digging into that with Wassym, too. This is a fun one – really in the weeds of a lot of my favorite things to talk about.

Links: 

• Rivian’s AI-powered voice assistant is ready to roll | The Verge
• The R2 is nearly here — can Rivian stick the landing? | The Verge
• Rivian’s AI pivot is about more than chasing Tesla | The Verge
• Rivian / VW will start testing their first EVs next year | The Verge
• Rivian CEO: ‘We’re really convicted’ about skipping CarPlay | Decoder (2025)
• Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe says too many carmakers are copying Tesla | Decoder (2024)
• Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe isn't scared of the Cybertruck | Decoder (2023)
• Rivian’s chief software officer says in-car buttons are ‘an anomaly’ | TechCrunch

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Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Decoder is produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt,. This episode was edited by Xander Adams. Our editorial director is Kevin McShane. 

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

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