Apple is expanding CarPlay so you can talk to AI assistants beyond Siri. The new support lets third‑party chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude run directly from the car’s infotainment screen, offering hands‑free conversations while you drive. This change keeps the Siri wake word but adds on‑demand AI options for a smoother, safer experience.
CarPlay AI Integration Overview
Supported Third‑Party Assistants
Developers can now bring large‑language‑model chatbots into CarPlay. The initial lineup includes:
- ChatGPT – OpenAI’s conversational model.
- Gemini – Google’s AI assistant.
- Claude – Anthropic’s chatbot.
How Third‑Party Assistants Work in CarPlay
Launching an AI App
To start a conversation, you’ll open the AI app from the CarPlay home screen. Once the app is active, it can switch automatically to voice‑chat mode, eliminating the need to tap additional buttons.
Voice Interaction Flow
The assistant listens after you speak, processes the request in the cloud, and replies through the car’s speakers. Siri’s wake word remains the entry point, so the system stays consistent with existing safety expectations.
Benefits for Drivers
- Hands‑free access to powerful AI without pulling out your iPhone.
- Conversation stays within CarPlay’s clean, automotive‑grade UI, reducing distraction.
- Real‑time answers for navigation, charging stations, recipes, news summaries, and more.
- Maintains Siri’s wake‑word control, preserving a familiar safety layer.
Opportunities for Developers
- New revenue stream by offering AI‑driven services directly in the car.
- Ability to embed contextual data—like nearby EV chargers or traffic updates—into chat responses.
- Requirement to follow Apple’s UI guidelines and audio‑processing rules, ensuring safe integration.
- Design concise, context‑aware dialogues that respect the driver’s attention budget.
Future Outlook for In‑Car AI
Apple’s broader AI push means Siri will soon gain its own large‑language‑model capabilities, putting it on a more even footing with third‑party chatbots. As these technologies converge, you could start a query with Siri, hand off to ChatGPT for a deep dive, and let Claude summarize a news article—all without ever touching your phone. The challenge now is for developers and automakers to create experiences that feel safe, useful, and truly conversational.
