Formula E, powered by McKinsey's AI, has achieved a remarkable world record. At the Hankook London E-Prix, held at EXCEL London, the electric race car GENBETA reached an astounding speed of 218. 71 kilometers per hour (135. 9 mph). This achievement, set indoors, has earned the team a new Guinness World Record for land speed and serves as a testament to the incredible pace of innovation. McKinsey's AI arm, QuantumBlack, played a crucial role in this feat. Their experts developed data and analytics components to create a driver interface that utilized generative AI to analyze real-time data for the record attempt. Kayla Miele, a McKinsey associate partner present during the run, described the experience as humbling and exhilarating. She expressed the significant impact and potential of this technology when used effectively. During the 2023 Hankook London E-Prix, QuantumBlack's collaboration with Formula E was showcased further. They developed a generative AI-powered conversational interface that transformed data into insights within milliseconds.

These insights were then delivered to fans in the car's "voice. " This inclusive use of generative AI empowered more people to engage with technical datasets, creating an interactive and informative experience for fans of all ages. McKinsey's involvement with Formula E is just one example of their exciting ventures in the AI space this year. Alongside publishing industry-leading reports on the topic, such as "The economic potential of generative AI, " McKinsey acquired Iguazio, a top AI and machine-learning firm. This acquisition enables enhanced AI deployment while reducing resource requirements, making AI implementation more accessible for companies facing tech talent shortages. Additionally, McKinsey launched QuantumBlack Horizon, a suite of AI development tools within their AI and machine-learning innovation hub, QuantumBlack Labs. This comprehensive product suite assists organizations in realizing the value of AI. It combines McKinsey's extensive investments in technical talent and research with strategic acquisitions like Iguazio to deliver a cohesive and industrially scaled AI production system. More recently, McKinsey announced a strategic collaboration with Cohere, a leading developer of enterprise AI platforms and large language models. This partnership aims to provide tailored end-to-end solutions using the power of generative AI to drive business performance. The GENBETA car, which achieved the world record, showcased design enhancements, including optimized aerodynamics through 3D printed components, softer tires, and improved battery power output. The collaboration between NEOM McLaren Racing Formula E Team driver Jake Hughes and Mahindra Racing team driver Lucas di Grassi, in a "duel" format where they attempted to outperform each other in timed solo runs, further emphasized the collaborative nature of this achievement. Google Cloud contributed technology innovations and generative AI analysis to the drivers' runs, contributing to the overall success. Rodney Zemmel, McKinsey senior partner and McKinsey Digital's global leader, expressed his pride and excitement, stating that while their colleagues achieve remarkable things regularly, helping a team secure a position in the Guinness Book of World Records is an exceptional achievement.