Ford Tried to Fix Its Quality Problems With AI. It Didn’t Work. So They Brought Back a Squad of Human ‘Gray Beards.’

Ford's attempt to use AI to tackle its persistent quality issues didn't pan out as hoped, leading to a surprising return to traditional methods. The company brought back 350 seasoned veteran engineers, dubbed "gray beards," to fix the problems. This move suggests that despite the allure of cutting-edge technology, sometimes seasoned expertise and experience can't be easily replaced by automated solutions. It highlights the ongoing challenge for automakers to balance innovation with practical, experienced problem-solving.