Apple plans to open CarPlay to third-party AI assistants, report says
Apple plans to allow third-party AI assistants in CarPlay, expanding in-car voice features while keeping Siri as the default assistant.
Apple is preparing to expand its in-car software platform to support third-party voice-controlled artificial intelligence assistants, according to a Bloomberg report. The move would mark a significant shift for CarPlay, which has traditionally relied on Siri as the primary voice interface for drivers and passengers.
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The reported change would allow developers to bring AI assistants such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini to CarPlay, giving users more options for handling complex questions and tasks while driving. While drivers can already use these services through smartphones connected via Bluetooth, deeper CarPlay integration could make the experience smoother and more intuitive.
Opening CarPlay to external AI assistants
Apple’s CarPlay system currently uses Siri to manage tasks such as controlling music, making calls and providing navigation. However, Siri has often struggled with more open-ended or conversational requests, an area where newer AI assistants have shown stronger capabilities.
According to Bloomberg, Apple intends to allow third-party AI apps to access CarPlay so they can respond to voice commands within the car’s interface. This would enable developers such as OpenAI and Google to offer versions of their AI assistants explicitly designed for in-car use. Such integration could help drivers ask broader questions, manage schedules or seek detailed information without needing to interact with their phones.
Although similar functionality is available today via a smartphone’s voice mode over Bluetooth, built-in CarPlay support is expected to provide a more seamless experience. This could include better integration with the car’s display and controls, as well as a more consistent user interface. Analysts say this could make AI-driven features more practical for drivers seeking advanced assistance on long journeys.
Limits on replacing Siri in the car
Despite the reported plans, Apple is not expected to allow third-party assistants to replace Siri in CarPlay fully. Bloomberg notes that external AI apps will not be able to take over the Siri button in the CarPlay interface or use their own wake words such as “Hey Google”. Instead, users would need to manually open the AI app before using its voice features.
This approach suggests Apple wants to maintain Siri as the primary gateway for vehicle voice control, while still offering users the option to use other AI tools. Requiring manual activation could reduce the convenience of third-party assistants compared with Siri, which is deeply integrated into Apple’s ecosystem and can be triggered more easily.
Industry observers believe Apple is balancing user choice with control over its platform. Allowing third-party assistants without granting them full system-level access could help Apple maintain CarPlay’s consistency and security while still responding to growing demand for advanced AI features. It also signals that Apple intends to keep Siri central to the in-car experience, even as it expands functionality.
Siri’s future and Apple’s AI strategy
Apple has been working to improve Siri and its broader artificial intelligence capabilities as competition intensifies from companies such as Google, Microsoft and OpenAI. In 2024, Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI features designed to work across its devices. A delayed, updated version of Siri, unveiled alongside Apple Intelligence, is intended to perform actions on behalf of users, understand on-screen context, and operate across multiple apps.
Apple and Google recently confirmed that Gemini would power future versions of Siri and Apple Foundation Models, the underlying AI systems behind Apple Intelligence. Reports suggest Apple is considering using Google’s Gemini models to transform Siri into a more conversational chatbot, narrowing the gap with rivals that already offer advanced conversational AI.
If Siri becomes more capable, it could be well-suited to in-car use through CarPlay, where drivers need quick, reliable responses without distraction. The addition of third-party AI assistants could serve as a bridge while Apple continues to develop the next generation of Siri. For users, the result could be a broader choice of AI tools, but with Siri remaining the default and most integrated option.
