Executives told an investor meeting that GM hoped to have a driverless Chevy Volt ready for next year's event.
Technology for the car will be developed through partnerships with companies such as Mobileye, the Israeli software specialist.
The move will be financed in part from a three-year cost-cutting plan covering manufacturing and administration.
The move is in part a reaction to competition from companies such as Tesla and Google, whose plans for autonomous vehicles are well advanced.
But GM said that its leadership in the automotive industry would give it an edge against some of competitors as everyone struggles to develop artificial intelligence that can anticipate drives decision and road conditions.
"No one has solved all the technologic challenges," said Mike Abelson, GM vice president for program management.