Shaq O’Neal and Carvana Partner to Launch World’s First AI “Shaqbot”

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Published by Stephen Oluwadara at September 19, 2025

A Partnership Making Car-shopping Simpler, Easier, and More Fun

“I’ve been buying and selling cars for years, and when I found Carvana, I really loved the ease and innovation of the brand. That’s what makes my partnership with Carvana so exciting,” O’Neal said. “And now for other Carvana fans, they can have a little fun with Shaqbot, an assistant as smart, smooth, and good-looking as me.”

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The tool is built on Carvana’s proprietary large language models and features O’Neal’s own voice recordings. Shaqbot is designed to streamline the car-buying process and make it more approachable for customers.

Alongside the AI tool, O’Neal and Carvana’s partnership includes curated vehicle selections, custom brand content, and a campaign hub at Shaqvana.com. The initiatives are all designed to amplify the best of Carvana’s platform, with Shaq’s personality layered in.

“Shaq is a great ambassador for Carvana – he brings the perfect mix of big personality, big heart, and big ideas,” said Ryan Keeton, Carvana Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer. “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, and it shows what’s possible when you combine technology, creativity, and fun.”

The campaign will include a national ad campaign, Shaqvana.com, a microsite where customers can browse Shaq-approved rides, explore campaign content, and interact with Shaqbot.

Shaq O’Neal, the Athlete-Turned-Entrepreneur

Shaquille O’Neal is a globally renowned athlete-turned-entrepreneur, leveraging his on and off-court success to build a highly sought-after consumer brand. As a sports analyst, DJ, restaurateur, and brand ambassador, Shaq’s “Business of Fun” mantra drives his diverse ventures.

Shaquille O’Neal is a 15-time NBA All-Star, NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Rookie of the Year, four-time NBA Champion, and First Ballot NBA Hall of Famer. He’s currently a TNT analyst on the Emmy Award-winning “Inside the NBA.”

Shaq has built a global DJ business as DJ Diesel, hosting immersive events like Shaq’s Fun House and SHAQ’s Bass All-Stars Festival. He’s also established The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, providing resources for underserved youth, and participates in annual philanthropic programs like Shaq-to-School and Shaq-a-Claus.

The launch of his Las Vegas eatery Big Chicken has further elevated Shaquille’s status as a successful restaurateur, with the brand having more than 350 locations in development worldwide and 40-plus locations open in traditional and non-traditional restaurant settings.

Image Source: Business wire