GM heard people miss buttons and knobs and wanted to make it up to them. No, not by putting buttons or knobs back in the car, but by making a touchscreen that cleans fingerprints off itself.
Does it use lasers? Great question, and our answer is... kinda. Since a go-go-gadget arm with a squeegee is out of the question, GM's patent includes the addition of invisible violet light pixels in the screen and a screen coating that chemically reacts to the ultraviolet light.
So, laser chemistry? The chemical reaction uses moisture in the air to break down the organic material left behind in fingerprints. It will also work on the stray bit of french fry grease for us fast food enthusiasts.