Doesn’t it work the opposite way, in that digital cockpit illumination dims when headlights come on and DRL’s dim.
Saab/Volvo drove on sidelights years before DRL’s became a thing
Then there are potential problems with auto headlights coming onin he middle of the day, as seen by some earlier VW owners for example.
The ambient light sensor (Photodiode) light particles hit the diodes surface, which produces an electrical current and the more light the stronger the electrical current. At dusk etc the light particles decrease and he electrical current decreases and turns on the headlights
Phototransistors are also used as an amient light sensor and are an amplified version of a photodiode and has the ability to act quicker.
EWnsuring the area around the windscreen is clean with no cleaning residue remaining will help stop light refracting from the sensor.
I see many people travelling at night without headlights on and can only assume they have messed with the switch and turned them off or don’t understand the principles of auto headlights. Of course the car could be a getaway vehicle!