Shaquille O’Neal has done a lot since hanging up his NBA jersey—DJ gigs, restaurant chains, TV work, and a slate of brand partnerships. Now, the Hall of Famer has teamed up with Carvana to bring his personality to a whole new lane: artificial intelligence.
Per a press release, the online car retail giant has introduced the world’s first AI-powered “Shaqbot,” an assistant designed with O’Neal’s voice, wit, and signature humor.
The launch is part of a broad collaboration that makes the four-time NBA champion the new face of Carvana’s latest national campaign.
“When I came across Carvana, I realized they weren’t just selling cars, they were changing the whole experience for people,” O’Neal said in an exclusive statement. “Teaming up with them to turn into Shaqbot was a lot of fun. Everybody knows I love shopping for cars already, so I'm glad the AI version of me can make that process entertaining for others.”
The Shaqbot is built with custom response logic and real voice recordings, allowing customers to interact with an AI version of O’Neal while browsing vehicles or asking questions about the platform. According to Carvana, it’s not just a gimmick—it’s about making the digital buying process easier and more engaging.
The partnership also introduces Shaqvana.com, a campaign hub where fans can explore curated Shaq-approved vehicles, test out the Shaqbot, and dive into custom content. For shoppers who share O’Neal’s taste in rides, the site even includes a “Shaq Filter” showcasing big-interior cars, high-horsepower favorites, and sunroof-ready options.
Ryan Keeton, Carvana’s co-founder and Chief Brand Officer, called O’Neal the perfect fit. “Shaq is a great ambassador for Carvana—he brings the perfect mix of big personality, big heart, and big ideas,” Keeton said. “He’s not just in the ads; he’s in the experience. The Shaqbot is one of the most unique things we’ve ever built.”
This marks the first time Carvana has embedded a celebrity’s likeness directly into its customer-facing technology. Between national ads, the Shaqvana microsite, and the AI-powered assistant, the company is betting big on Shaq’s cultural reach.
Fans can check out the experience now at Shaqvana.com and look out for more Shaq-powered drops this holiday season.