The art of using artificial intelligence in truck repair
As you can see, we made artificial intelligence the main focus of an entire issue. Why would we do that? Considering all the ways AI will change not just how shops and fleets maintain and repair commercial vehicles, but how the technology will change society, the better question is why would we not?
As a writer by trade, I should probably be worried about AI, particularly the unfettered proliferation of generative AI. This form of AI, which dates back to 1961 with the creation of a crude chatbot called ELIZA, generates various forms of content, including art, videos, and even B2B-style articles.
I found that at least with the free version of Google Gemini, GenAI can also do my job infinitely faster. After entering a detailed prompt, "Write an 800-word opinion column for commercial vehicle maintenance professionals about how to use artificial intelligence to assist with work functions," the software spit out instant content, with a headline, subheads, summaries, and a conclusion. [Scroll tot he end of the story to see the full text.] In total, there were 677 words (but what writer ever follows their editor’s instructions to a tee?). There’s no way I could write faster than AI, but what about quality?
Let’s examine. First off, the headline “Artificial Intelligence: Changing the Landscape of Commercial Vehicle Maintenance” is too long and more generic than an Aldi checkout line. Google’s search algorithm would probably favor it, though, thus generating good web traffic. Pure robo-nepotism, I say.
On to the lead, or opening paragraph. An op-ed should ideally have a bold take on an issue and hook the reader. Gemini wrote: “The commercial vehicle industry has always embraced advancements that improve safety, efficiency, and profitability. Now, a new generation of tools is revolutionizing the way we maintain these vital machines – Artificial Intelligence (AI). No longer just a sci-fi concept, AI has entered our workshops, becoming a powerful assistant to forward-thinking maintenance professionals.”
Read more: Using AI without losing what’s important to your business
This paragraph isn’t wrong, per se, but it has boldly gone where millions have gone before. “[Insert technology] is not just science-fiction anymore” was overused a decade ago, and I should know because I was a technology editor abusing the sci-fi trope for everything from 3D printers to robots to even AI. A quick Google search also turned up several near-identical lines by other human writers as well. Not surprising, as Gemini scrapes the internet’s archives—mining human effort and creativity—to compile answers, stripping both from the new work. Looking at some of the overall themes of the full piece, which we’ll attach to the online version of this story, I wonder if my past articles served as a muse for this? At one point Gemini wrote, “AI is not about replacing technicians, it’s about augmenting them.” I’ve often stressed that same point about technology, though with far more snark and pop culture references.
Regardless of what AI claims about augmenting workers, it’s still probably after my job, and might be gunning for yours, too. Gemini noted several areas AI can help with: predictive maintenance, diagnostics, virtual inspections, and parts inventory.
How long will it be satisfied only assisting “forward-thinking maintenance professionals”? When will it decide it deserves a promotion? For now, you can relax. Autonomous repair shops are still sci-fi (until they’re not). In the meantime, you can use our future oppressors to ease the burden of your workday by doing your menial tasks. These include everything from scheduling job interviews to managing parts, so Gemini was right here. Unlike AI, we go into great detail and use real-world examples, always citing our sources.
Also, check out our guide on how to leverage predictive maintenance to power uptime. We even employed AI for the opening image on that one. Our art director tried to use GenAI for the cover, but found doing it herself was better and faster.
I’ll still take experience and talent over 1’s and 0’s any day.
We hope you find many ways here to better your business and generate some extra free time and money to do cool human things that AI can only write about and never experience. Take that, soulless abomination!
Maybe I’m being a bit too hard on Gemini, a relative newborn created last December. ChatGPT was launched in November 2022, and in technology terms, it is practically middle-aged now. In those aforementioned features, we present how OpenAI’s ubiquitous chatbot performed in answering our questions versus what “human” sources said.
Remember though, it’s all sourced from humans, and that’s an important distinction. The AI isn’t truly pondering answers but sorting and organizing thoughts with the same mechanical aplomb that a Coinstar machine uses to separate nickels and dimes, spitting out anything it deems unworthy, like old arcade tokens or even less useful, Canadian currency. A person programmed both and in all AI cases, and it was people who assigned what does and doesn’t have value.
And people are still as flawed as ever.
That human imperfection of bias can and does bleed over into AI. When asked if Elon Musk or Adolf Hitler had a more negative impact on society, Gemini responded, “It is difficult to say.” It then equated Musk’s trolling and past comments affecting Tesla stock prices to the entirety of deaths not just from the Holocaust, but all of World War II.
With that in mind, maybe we shouldn’t be so worried about AI replacing us. But examples like this should give you pause about what jobs you assign to AI in the transportation industry.
Driving a truck? We’re not there yet, but as an extra pair of eyes on the road, absolutely. Performing a job interview? No. Helping schedule interviews, yes.
Maybe someday a technician will be able to prompt AI to walk through a wire harness repair or similarly complex task, while a cloud-connected camera monitors for accuracy and points out if a step was missed. But even then, the guidance will only be as good as the input data.
That means now more than ever, we should all strive to guide the people we lead with humanity, fairness, and patience. That way, when AI becomes our boss, at least we’ll know it learned from good role models.
Gemini's attempt at writing a column for Fleet Maintenance
Prompt: Write an 800-word opinion column for commercial vehicle maintenance professionals about how to use artificial intelligence to assist with work functions.
Artificial Intelligence: Changing the Landscape of Commercial Vehicle Maintenance
The commercial vehicle industry has always embraced advancements that improve safety, efficiency, and profitability. Now, a new generation of tools is revolutionizing the way we maintain these vital machines – Artificial Intelligence (AI). No longer just a sci-fi concept, AI has entered our workshops, becoming a powerful assistant to forward-thinking maintenance professionals.
Let's face it, the work of a commercial vehicle technician is complex. There's a dizzying array of vehicle systems to monitor, a constant flow of data to analyze, and the pressure to keep trucks and fleets on the road with minimal downtime. AI can help untangle this complexity, empowering technicians and fleet managers to make faster, more informed decisions, leading to reduced costs and higher vehicle uptime.
Predictive Maintenance: Beyond Scheduled Checkups
Traditional "check engine light" maintenance can be reactive. You're often scrambling once an issue occurs. However, AI-powered predictive maintenance changes the game. By analyzing vast amounts of real-time data from a vehicle's sensors and historic records, it can essentially see into the future. AI algorithms identify patterns and subtle anomalies that might signal a pending part failure, alerting you before a breakdown occurs.
Imagine getting a notification that a specific truck is at elevated risk of a fuel injector issue, days before the driver experiences problems on the road. This allows for proactive scheduling, sourcing parts in advance, and potentially completing repairs during planned downtime rather than a costly roadside emergency.
Intelligent Diagnostics: More Than Code Readers
We all know that modern commercial vehicles are essentially computers on wheels. Fault codes provide clues, but AI-powered diagnostic tools take things several steps further. These systems can correlate data from multiple sources, considering variables like operating environment and driver behavior. AI can analyze complex trends and interactions that even experienced technicians might miss, leading to faster identification of root causes.
This doesn't replace your expertise; imagine it as a super-skilled assistant analyzing data alongside you, freeing you up to focus on the repair itself.
Virtual Inspections: Remote Efficiency
AI-powered image and video analysis tools are streamlining the inspection process. Technicians can conduct remote inspections using photos or videos that a driver can capture with a smartphone. AI algorithms analyze those images, spotting anything from worn tires to fluid leaks, helping determine if a vehicle needs immediate attention or if routine maintenance can suffice.
This allows you to support drivers on the road without dispatching a technician for every minor issue. Plus, it creates detailed visual records, helping track wear patterns over time.
Optimizing Parts and Inventory: No More Guesswork
Inventory management is a constant juggling act, balancing the need to have the right parts in stock without tying up capital in unnecessary supplies. AI can help here too. Predictive maintenance insights offer clearer projections of upcoming needs. Combined with historical fleet data, AI can develop optimized parts recommendations tailored to your operation. This reduces unnecessary stock while increasing confidence that you'll have the essentials on hand when needed.
The Human Touch Remains Essential
It's important to remember, AI is not about replacing technicians, it's about augmenting them. Techs with sharp instincts and mechanical know-how will always be the heart of maintenance. Just like a good wrench doesn't eliminate the need for a skilled hand, AI doesn't eliminate the need for your knowledge and understanding. Instead, it empowers you to make the most of your valuable time and expertise.
Adopting AI: Don't Get Left Behind
If you haven't started exploring AI tools yet, the time is now. This is a rapidly evolving field. Partner with progressive, tech-forward solution providers specializing in our industry. Start with pilot programs focusing on a focused area like predictive maintenance or diagnostics.
The potential benefits are clear: reduced breakdowns, lower repair costs, and maximizing that most precious resource – a vehicle's time on the road generating revenue. AI isn't just the future, it's shaping the present for forward-thinking fleets. Let's embrace this technology not as a threat, but as an opportunity to drive our industry forward into a more efficient, reliable, and profitable tomorrow.
About the Author

John Hitch
Editor-in-chief, Fleet Maintenance
John Hitch is the award-winning editor-in-chief of Fleet Maintenance, where his mission is to provide maintenance leaders and technicians with the the latest information on tools, strategies, and best practices to keep their fleets' commercial vehicles moving.
He is based out of Cleveland, Ohio, and has worked in the B2B journalism space for more than a decade. Hitch was previously senior editor for FleetOwner and before that was technology editor for IndustryWeek and and managing editor of New Equipment Digest.
Hitch graduated from Kent State University and was editor of the student magazine The Burr in 2009.
The former sonar technician served honorably aboard the fast-attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN-723), where he participated in counter-drug ops, an under-ice expedition, and other missions he's not allowed to talk about for several more decades.