By Laryssa Hulcio and Stephen Harber, GM Talent Marketing
How did a surprising early-career decision lead Dan Levi to GM and its breakthroughs in autonomy?
Employee #7. That’s the badge Dan Levi carried when he joined GM Israel’s R&D Lab at its founding. Now, he leads breakthrough research in computer vision, building the technology that helps autonomous vehicles see – and drivers stay safe.
Find out what Dan has to say about how his career path flourished at GM.
How did you almost change the history of AI?
Back in 2009, after finishing my PhD, I was offered a postdoctoral position with Geoffrey Hinton at the University of Toronto. Instead, I chose to join GM.
My spot went to Alex Krizhevsky, whose research there sparked the deep learning revolution and ultimately earned Turing Awards and even a Nobel Prize.
Maybe I didn’t win a Nobel Prize, but I like to say I graciously donated my spot in the lab!
What do you do at GM now?
I lead the research team in computer vision and perception for autonomous vehicles.
What do you love most about your work?
The conversations with my team. They’re brilliant researchers who challenge every idea and open my mind in new ways every day.
What excites you most about working in the automotive tech industry?
For me, this industry lets me apply my expertise where it matters most: preventing accidents and saving lives.
What has been your most significant achievement at GM so far?
My proudest achievement was my technical contribution to the driver monitoring system for the initial Super Cruise launch. I even received a Boss Kettering Award for that work, which is GM’s highest internal recognition for technical innovation and invention.
Dan spends another day intensely focused on his research and development work for GM.
What are your goals for the next few years?
To build a strong, world-class computer vision research group that delivers disruptive technologies and redefines robust autonomy.
How do you balance work and personal life in such a demanding role?
I wake up early to complete my morning workout before the workday begins, and I make sure to be home on time to spend quality time with my family.
What challenges do you face in your position, and how do you overcome them?
The biggest challenge is connecting all the pieces in a large enterprise so that our innovations reach internal customers. Collaboration across teams is key.
Which New GM Behavior resonates most with you?
“Innovate and embrace change.” It’s the very foundation of research.
Speaking of which, how does GM stay ahead in technology and innovation?
By taking risks — investing in research and tightening integration across departments so that new technologies can move quickly into development.
What role will GM play in the future of mobility?
GM has the opportunity to lead in autonomy and be the first to introduce affordable autonomous solutions at scale.
What do you do after work hours?
I lead GM’s running group. We’ve even won medals in the corporate running league!
Any recommendations on what to watch, read, or listen to?
To watch: Completely Unknown (2024) — a moving film about Bob Dylan’s early days.
To read: Foundations by Tali Cohen-Zion — a book on the elements: fire, water, air, and earth.
To listen: The Ballad of Darren by Blur (2003) — an intimate, heartfelt album showing how a rock band can age gracefully.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m a father to two young men. I’m passionate about sports — running, triathlon, and just about everything in between. I also love discovering new and old music, hiking in nature, and exploring my inner world.
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