ChatGPT could be a killer feature for CarPlay

Apple may soon expand the range of apps allowed on CarPlay by opening the dashboard to third-party AI chatbots, a change that would mark a notable shift in how the in-car system handles voice interaction and information access.

A new report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg outlines plans for Apple to permit AI services such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini to appear within the CarPlay interface, potentially arriving within the next few months as part of upcoming software updates.

CarPlay has historically limited third-party apps to tightly controlled categories like navigation, audio, and messaging, reflecting Apple’s cautious approach to distraction, safety, and consistency within the vehicle environment.

Allowing conversational AI tools onto the dashboard would expand CarPlay’s functionality beyond command-based voice controls, enabling more flexible interactions such as contextual questions, summaries, and multi-step requests while driving.

According to the report, Siri would remain the default voice assistant on CarPlay, but users could actively launch alternative AI assistants from the dashboard rather than relying solely on Apple’s built-in system.

This approach mirrors Apple’s recent software strategy, which increasingly supports external AI services alongside its own tools rather than insisting on a single, vertically integrated assistant experience.

CarPlay and Apple’s broader AI direction

The reported CarPlay changes follow Apple’s recent integration of ChatGPT into Siri on iOS 18, which introduced large language model capabilities without fully replacing Apple’s existing voice assistant framework.

Apple routes certain Siri requests to ChatGPT when a query requires more advanced generative responses, while the system retains control over device permissions and core system actions.

Extending similar access to CarPlay would bring generative AI into a context where hands-free interaction is especially valuable, potentially improving navigation queries, travel planning, and general information requests during longer drives.

The timing also reflects ongoing challenges in Apple’s internal AI roadmap, as the company has delayed a major next-generation Siri overhaul while competitors continue to roll out increasingly capable conversational systems.

Earlier announcements confirmed Apple’s plans to incorporate Google’s AI models into future versions of Siri, though that partnership focuses on backend processing rather than user-visible chatbot interfaces.

The Bloomberg report does not specify which iOS version will introduce expanded AI support for CarPlay, though additional iOS 26 updates are expected before Apple’s next Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Apple has not publicly confirmed support for third-party chatbots on CarPlay, and details around regional availability, app approval requirements, and developer access remain unclear at this stage.

If implemented, the change would represent one of the most significant functional expansions to CarPlay in recent years, with rollout timing likely tied to broader iOS updates rather than a standalone release.