Toolbox Topics: How AI Is Changing Automotive Diagnostics | An Interview with THINKCAR

THINKCAR’s George Chen discusses how AI-assisted diagnostics can help technicians tackle complex problems, improve efficiency, and prepare for the future of vehicle repair.

Nadine Atiya

Related To:

THINKCAR

Oct. 5, 2026

Add Us On Google

Key Highlights

AI can significantly improve diagnostic speed and accuracy by analyzing complex data more efficiently.
Technicians will need to develop new skills, including understanding AI tools and data interpretation, to stay relevant.
Despite AI advancements, technician knowledge and experience remain crucial for effective diagnostics and troubleshooting.
The collaboration between technicians and AI technology promises to enhance problem-solving capabilities in auto repair shops.
Future diagnostic tools will likely be more integrated with AI, requiring technicians to adapt to new workflows and technologies.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of automotive diagnostics, but what does that actually mean for technicians in the shop?

In this episode of Toolbox Topics, PTEN Editor-in-Chief Nadine Atiya sits down with George Chen, Head of the AI Product Department at THINKCAR, to discuss where AI can provide the most value during the diagnostic process, how it can help technicians tackle difficult problems, and why technician knowledge and experience remain essential.

They also discuss the skills technicians will need as AI becomes more integrated into diagnostic tools and what the relationship between technicians and diagnostic technology could look like in the years ahead.

About the Author

Nadine Atiya

Editor-in-Chief

Nadine Atiya is the editor-in-chief of Professional Tool & Equipment News (PTEN) and Professional Distributor magazines. She has been covering the automotive aftermarket since 2021, after graduating from Kent State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and marketing.

Don't miss Atiya's next article. Sign up for PTEN or Professional Distributor's weekly newsletter.