At MOVE America 2025, MOVEmnt.net sat down with Michael Ronen, Managing Director at Fortress Investment Group, to explore how AI is reshaping mobility and what the next chapter looks like for the autonomous vehicle ecosystem.
Ronen reflected on transportation’s role as one of the earliest adopters of AI, pointing to pioneers such as Cruise, Waymo and Nuro. The journey, he noted, has been “bumpy and filled with ups and downs,” but the long-term direction remains clear. We discussed how autonomous vehicle companies are now leveraging advances from leading AI labs, including OpenAI, to accelerate development and bring autonomy closer to large-scale deployment.
Beyond headline-grabbing investments in AV companies, Ronen highlighted a wave of emerging opportunities in adjacent sectors. He pointed to the work of Fortress Investment Group, whose asset-heavy strategies span real estate and infrastructure and other areas deeply intertwined with the future of mobility. Their global reach, he said, underscores how transportation innovation demands both technological ambition and physical, real-world foundations.
Our conversation also turned personal, touching on Ronen’s decision to start a company later in his career. Sitting on the founder side of the table, he admitted, was “incredibly humbling” and permanently changed the way he views CEOs and early-stage teams.
That experience shapes the advice he now offers to entrepreneurs: surround yourself with great talent, seek guidance specific to the business you’re trying to build, develop conviction, and remain crystal clear about the problem you are solving.
With more than 40,000 lives lost annually in car accidents, Ronen stressed that the promise of autonomy carries both profound economic value and deep human value. Reducing that number, he said, is one of the most compelling reasons to keep pushing forward.
Watch the full interview below to hear Michael Ronen’s take on AI, investment strategy, safety and the future of mobility.
Keep up-to-date with the latest mobility news by subscribing to MOVEMNT’s free newsletter
