Earlier quoted context omitted.
Mechanics need to be able to turn them off when they work on them or they’ll get blinded. Every car I’ve driven in the last 10 years seems to have an auto mode though. I’d be surprised if the Chevy’s these are based on don’t have an auto mode. It could be that a fuse blew here.
I bet it is something boring, like a fuse blew, or maybe they still have the auto/manual lights selector even though the car is autonomous, and somebody misconfigured it. You'd think 'are the lights on' would be a self-check it would perform, though. GM has to know that headlights go out occasionally, right?
If it wasn't before I would bet it will be soon.