JAMA warns of AI-driven cybersecurity risks in automotive industry

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) has issued a warning regarding the cybersecurity risks posed by advanced artificial intelligence. Keiji Yamamoto, Toyota’s Global Software Director and Chairman of JAMA’s Next Generation Mobility Committee, stated that frontier AI models could be exploited by hackers to identify software vulnerabilities and security flaws in vehicles.

As AI technology improves vehicle intelligence and autonomous driving capabilities, it simultaneously provides tools that can rapidly detect system weaknesses. In response, JAMA is discussing defensive strategies and the development of systems to prevent unauthorized vehicle access. The association emphasized that securing software code is becoming a critical priority during the vehicle development process.

Separately, Chinese regulators are considering stricter controls on large automotive screens to prevent driver distraction. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) may implement bans on certain features, such as flexible rotating or folding screens, and may require safety assessments for large infotainment displays and heads-up displays (HUD) to ensure they do not compromise driver focus.