BMW is using an artificial intelligence (AI) text message service to help promote awareness of its new i3.

Customers can text 84737 for free and ask any question about the i3 using the i Genius service. The AI system will interoperate the tone and words and form a response.

If the question doesn’t make sense or offensive, a stock answer of “I could talk about that, but I’d much rather talk about the new i3”.

BMW will be promoting the i Genius service when it launches the i3 this year and is hoping it will provide instant answers to customers who are intrigued by the brand and technology behind it.

AM tested the service and asked: “Is the i3 more environmentally friendly to manufacturer in comparison to standard combustion engine models?”

The BMW i Genius responded within seconds with: “We make sure that the BMW i3 is setting a new high standard for sustainable design, which means we use reneweable raw materials in our electric cars.

“It’s of paramount importance to us and the interiors of the BMW i3feature panels made from natural fibres, naturally tanned leather seats and European eucalyptus wood. The natural materials underpin the premium standard of BMW I while also conversing resources.”