By Laryssa Hulcio and Stephen Harber, GM Talent Marketing
“Ruthless automation” might not be the first phrase that comes to mind when you think about infotainment, but for Stanley Fok, it’s a cornerstone of quality.
As Manager for Infotainment Software at GM’s Canadian Technical Centre (CTC) in Markham, Ontario, Stanley brings a systems-level mindset to every challenge. With a background in mobile, video, and hardware, he’s helping GM redefine the in-vehicle experience – balancing innovation, safety, and scale with a clear vision and a collaborative, human-centered approach.
Want to know what it takes to lead large-scale automotive innovation? Stanley shares his insights below.
You’ve worked across several industries, from mobile to video processing to hardware design. What got you excited about taking on infotainment at GM?
I’ve always been drawn to smart, useful features…things that make your life easier or add a “wow” factor without being gimmicky.
That’s what drives me: building technology I’d want to use myself.
When I first started working on mobile apps, I quickly saw how innovation could impact daily life. Seeing GM take a similar approach to vehicle infotainment, with that same level of user-focused innovation, is what really hooked me.
You were deep in the Android mobile world. What made you want to bring that expertise to vehicles?
I was working on Android-based mobile development at another company when I learned that GM was starting to build its next-generation infotainment platform using Android as well. That piqued my interest.
At the time, vehicle infotainment was still evolving. People mostly thought of it as just a radio or navigation system. But I saw an opportunity to bring a richer, more modern user experience into vehicles – one that aligned with what people had come to expect from their smartphones.
It felt like a natural next step: applying my mobile experience to a new space where it could really make an impact.
Having worked at other tech companies, how is your experience at GM different?
It’s definitely the biggest company I’ve ever worked for, which brings a lot of complexity – and a lot of opportunity. At GM, you’re not siloed into one specific domain.
Even though I focus on software, I’ve been exposed to powertrains, EV systems, safety features, and more. The cross-functional collaboration here is unmatched. It’s also inspiring to work on products that are highly tangible.
Unlike a mobile app, a vehicle is something you can see, touch, and experience in the real world. Our software plays a growing role in shaping that experience.
In the lab at the Markham Elevation Centre, Stanley works diligently to optimize infotainment experience.
After more than six years at GM, what keeps you excited to come to work each day?
The people and the products. My team at CTC is phenomenal. There’s a strong culture of mutual respect, support, and shared ownership. Everyone is focused on delivering the best possible product, and we help each other get there.
From a product standpoint, the technology we’re developing keeps evolving. With every new vehicle program, there’s something new to learn and new challenges to solve. That keeps things fresh and exciting.
How has working at the pixel level helped you think big about the driver experience?
My earlier work involved optimizing video and image processing algorithms – things that required precision, efficiency, and constant iteration. That mindset translates well to automotive software.
We’re always looking for ways to streamline development, improve quality, and shorten the time it takes to deliver a polished experience. Our current infotainment systems are built to support a wide range of features across many vehicles, so the ability to scale and adapt quickly is essential.
That’s where my technical background comes in handy.
Is there a moment or product at GM that felt like a career highlight for you?
I had the opportunity to work on the infotainment software for GM’s full-size SUVs: Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon. I’ve always loved those vehicles – especially the Chevy Suburban. It was my go-to rental car back when I used to go skiing a lot.
To work on something I had a personal connection to, and see it evolve from early planning stages all the way through to production, was a big milestone for me.
Leading global teams can be a balancing act. How do you make sure everyone feels supported and aligned?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every team is different, especially when you’re working across global regions. What motivates a team in one location might not resonate with another.
At GM, I work with colleagues across North America, South America, Asia, and Europe. You have to understand and adapt to each team’s culture and communication style. Flexibility and empathy are key.
What’s the secret to making sure infotainment software works seamlessly across so many models and markets?
The software has to work across a wide range of vehicle models, hardware variants, and market requirements. We can’t rely on manual testing alone due to the sheer size of volume. That would be impossible.
So we’ve leaned into automation. This way we can ensure consistent performance and reliability across such a broad portfolio. From my experience, human and machine collaboration frees up more time for meaningful strategic work.
Stanley stands outside GM’s Markham Elevation Centre, where product meets possibility.
What’s next for infotainment? How do you see it shaping the driver experience?
We are constantly evolving our technologies, expanding our connected services and personalized features. These will anticipate what the driver needs and deliver them in a seamless way that's not distracting, making the vehicle better over time.
The key difference between mobile and automotive is that vehicles are safety-critical environments. So the goal is to innovate boldly with safety built-in from the start. That’s what makes this space both demanding and exciting – but extremely rewarding.
Which of GM’s Employee Behaviors resonates most with you?
Move with Urgency.
The pace of change is fast in the tech world. The cost of standing still is high. Whether it’s adopting new tools, iterating faster, or learning a new skill, we need to be nimble. As software takes center stage in modern vehicles, moving fast isn’t just a goal: it’s how we stay ahead.
With everything on your plate, how do you make space for life outside of work?
It’s not always easy, but I make it a priority. Health and family come first.
I try to block out time for my kids and commit to it. My wife is also a professional and incredibly organized, so we’ve found a rhythm that works for us.
I also encourage my team to protect their time, especially when working across time zones. Just because we can be online 24/7 doesn’t mean we should be.
When we respect each other’s boundaries, we build trust. That trust fuels both well-being and performance.
You mentioned skiing. What role has that played in your life?
Skiing used to be a huge part of my life. I’ve skied all over: Canada, the U.S., Europe. It taught me a lot about patience, precision, and flow.
These days, I’m introducing my kids to it. It’s a way for us to bond, get outside, and enjoy something together. The kids are beginning to tackle the black diamonds, so it’s something I’m looking forward to!
What advice would you give to an engineer hoping to step into a leadership role on a complex project?
Always be curious. Master your own area, but don’t stop there. Learn how your work connects to the rest of the system.
A big part of leadership is being able to navigate ambiguity. That means understanding the bigger picture and being willing to step outside your comfort zone.
Great outcomes often come from making confident decisions, even when things are still evolving.
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