Uber Engineers Develop AI Replica of CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to Enhance Meeting Preparations
In a groundbreaking move that underscores Uber’s commitment to technological innovation, the company’s engineers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) version of CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. This AI tool is designed to assist teams in refining their presentations and strategies before presenting them to the executive leadership.
During a recent appearance on Steven Bartlett’s podcast, The Diary of a CEO, Khosrowshahi shared insights into this innovative development. He revealed that some teams within Uber have created a Dara AI to simulate interactions with him, allowing them to fine-tune their presentations in advance. One of my team members told me that some teams have built a Dara AI, you know, so that they basically make the presentation to the Dara AI as a prep for making a presentation to me, Khosrowshahi explained. Because you can imagine, like, you know, by the time something comes to me, there’s been a prep and a meeting of the slide deck has been beautifully honed. So they have Dara AI to tune their prep.
This initiative reflects Uber’s broader strategy to integrate AI into its operations. Khosrowshahi highlighted that approximately 90% of Uber’s software engineers are incorporating AI into their work, with about 30% being power users who are reimagining the company’s architecture through AI tools. They are manufacturing the bricks that go into the system, and they’re architects who are kind of thinking about what the system should look like, he noted. It really is changing their productivity in a way that I’ve never, ever seen before.
The development of the Dara AI is part of Uber’s ongoing efforts to leverage AI for enhancing productivity and decision-making processes. By simulating interactions with the CEO, teams can anticipate questions, refine their arguments, and ensure that their proposals are well-aligned with the company’s strategic objectives. This approach not only streamlines the preparation process but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Uber’s commitment to AI extends beyond internal tools. The company has been actively exploring AI applications across various facets of its business. For instance, in August 2023, reports emerged that Uber Eats was developing an AI-powered chatbot to offer personalized recommendations and expedite the ordering process. This chatbot aims to understand users’ preferences and budgets, thereby enhancing the customer experience.
Furthermore, Uber has been strengthening its partnerships in the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector. In January 2025, the company announced a collaboration with Nvidia to accelerate the development of autonomous driving technology. By utilizing Nvidia’s generative world model simulation tool, Cosmos, and its cloud-based AI supercomputing platform, DGX Cloud, Uber aims to scale its AV initiatives more rapidly. By working with Nvidia, we are confident that we can help supercharge the timeline for safe and scalable autonomous driving solutions for the industry, Khosrowshahi stated.
In addition to technological advancements, Uber has been making strategic leadership changes to support its AI and AV ambitions. In February 2026, the company appointed Balaji Krishnamurthy as its new Chief Financial Officer. Krishnamurthy, who has a background in strategic finance and investor relations, is expected to play a pivotal role in Uber’s investments in AV software partners and infrastructure. With large and growing free cash flows, over the coming years we will invest with discipline across a multitude of opportunities, including positioning Uber to win in an AV future, Krishnamurthy emphasized.
Uber’s proactive approach to AI and automation is not without challenges. The company has faced scrutiny and legal battles in the past, particularly concerning its self-driving unit. In 2017, Uber was embroiled in a lawsuit with Waymo over alleged theft of trade secrets related to autonomous vehicle technology. The case was settled in 2018, with Uber agreeing to pay a significant sum and ensuring that Waymo’s confidential information would not be incorporated into its technology.
Despite these challenges, Uber continues to push forward with its AI initiatives. The development of the Dara AI exemplifies how the company is leveraging technology to enhance internal processes and decision-making. By creating a virtual version of its CEO, Uber is not only streamlining meeting preparations but also fostering a culture that embraces innovation and continuous improvement.
As AI technology continues to evolve, it is likely that more companies will adopt similar tools to enhance productivity and strategic alignment. Uber’s experience serves as a case study in how AI can be integrated into corporate operations to drive efficiency and innovation. The Dara AI is more than just a novel tool; it represents a shift in how companies can utilize AI to replicate and scale leadership insights, ultimately contributing to more informed and effective decision-making processes.
