Cerence AI is set to launch an AI agent aimed at facilitating hands free mobile work within vehicles, in partnership with Microsoft.

This agent will operate on the agentic AI assistant platform, Cerence xUI, offering voice-first access to Microsoft 365 Copilot, OneNote, Outlook, and Teams.

The system is designed to tackle the increase in mobile work and related distracted driving risks. It will offer natural hands-free interaction, aiming to diminish the need for physical and visual engagement, thus reducing distractions.

The upcoming mobile work AI agent will be integrated into the vehicle's system and will benefit from xUI's orchestration capabilities across various automotive-grade AI agents.

It will also use contextual awareness to tailor its functionality to the user's current situation, whether driving, in an autonomous vehicle, or parked, to ensure minimal distractions and a safer experience.

Users will be able to collaborate with the agent to compose messages, prepare meeting agendas, and expand notes into detailed documents using voice commands.

The agent will also provide morning briefings, daily summaries, and manage calendars by drawing context from Microsoft 365 Copilot services and the vehicle's data.

Cerence AI chief revenue officer Christian Mentz stated: “With our new mobile work AI agent and its integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot services, we will help to minimise this impulse through a natural, voice-first experience that doesn’t compromise safety or security.

“The focus isn’t maximising productivity; it’s recognising the need for technology that supports smarter, safer work in a world that is increasingly mobile.”

Cerence AI noted that since the beginning of 2024, it has been working with Microsoft to deliver an “automotive-grade” technology in vehicles, allowing users to utilise ChatGPT via Microsoft Azure OpenAI within AI Foundry Models.

Furthermore, Cerence AI has developed an automotive-grade, embedded small language model (SLM), CaLLM Edge, in cooperation with Microsoft. The development leveraged Microsoft's Phi-3 SLMs and Cerence’s automotive data to create AI capable of managing a variety of automotive scenarios.

In July 2025, Mercedes-Benz announced an expansion of its partnership with Microsoft to integrate popular business tools, including Teams, into its vehicles.