Feb. 19, 2026 | Tekion CEO Jay Vijayan on AI security; Auto execs anxious about job security

Auto executives face record-high job insecurity, with over 40% of leaders expressing concern due to rapid industry disruption, including the transition to software-defined vehicles and AI integration. While other sectors leverage AI for revenue growth, the automotive industry focuses on cost reduction, hindered by longer product development cycles. Meanwhile, General Motors is mitigating market volatility by maintaining leaner inventory levels, now 30 to 40 percent lower than pre-pandemic figures. In the retail space, Tekion CEO Jay Vijayan emphasizes the necessity of building secure, compliant AI platforms from the ground up to protect dealership data from potential rogue AI agents. As Tekion expands its footprint to over 3,000 rooftops, the company prioritizes rigorous security certifications to ensure reliable AI deployment for tasks like technician assistance and data management.