Apple to Open CarPlay to Third-Party AI Chatbots Like ChatGPT and Google Gemini

Apple is reportedly preparing to open up CarPlay to third-party AI chatbot applications, marking a significant expansion of the platform's capabilities. According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, the company is working to support voice-enabled chatbot apps within CarPlay over the coming months, allowing users to interact with services like ChatGPT and Google Gemini more safely while driving.

Currently, AI chatbot applications on iPhone don't integrate well with Apple CarPlay. While these apps feature conversational voice modes, they weren't designed with the in-car experience in mind. The upcoming change would enable users to access these AI assistants through their vehicle's CarPlay interface without needing to physically interact with their iPhone.

This move represents a major update for CarPlay, which has traditionally been limited to specific categories of applications including entertainment, navigation, and communication. By adding support for voice-enabled chatbot apps, Apple is acknowledging the growing importance of AI assistants and the demand for their integration into the driving experience.

However, Apple isn't planning to allow these third-party chatbots to completely replace Siri as the primary voice assistant. Instead, the integration will provide a safer way to interact with these new categories of iPhone apps through the CarPlay interface. Users will still need to open the chatbot app to activate third-party voice control, rather than having a dedicated Siri button or wake word for these services.

The timing of this CarPlay update remains unclear. Gurman's report doesn't specify whether it will be part of an upcoming iOS 26 release or saved for iOS 27. Apple is expected to ship the first version of Siri that relies on Google's Gemini technology in iOS 26.4, with iOS 27 previewed at Apple's annual developer conference in June.

This development comes as automakers are already integrating AI-powered voice mode features directly into their vehicles, sometimes bypassing CarPlay entirely. By opening up CarPlay to third-party chatbots, Apple is ensuring the platform remains competitive and relevant as the automotive industry increasingly embraces AI technology.

The move is also separate from Apple's broader efforts to enhance Siri capabilities with Apple Intelligence. According to Gurman, Apple plans to announce actual chatbot features for Siri later this year as part of a larger Siri overhaul during the iOS 27 cycle. This suggests Apple is taking a two-pronged approach: improving its own Siri assistant while also allowing users to access competing AI services through CarPlay.

For drivers, this change could significantly enhance the in-car experience by providing access to more sophisticated AI assistance while maintaining safety through voice-only interactions. Whether users need help with complex questions, language translation, or other tasks that go beyond Siri's current capabilities, they'll soon be able to access these services through their CarPlay interface.

The integration of third-party AI chatbots into CarPlay represents Apple's recognition that users want choices in their AI assistants, even as the company continues to invest heavily in improving Siri. By allowing these services to work within CarPlay's controlled environment, Apple is striking a balance between user flexibility and maintaining the safety and consistency that has made CarPlay popular among drivers.

As the automotive industry continues to evolve with increasing connectivity and AI integration, Apple's decision to open CarPlay to third-party chatbots positions the platform to remain a key player in the in-car technology space. The coming months will reveal exactly how this integration works in practice and what limitations Apple may impose to ensure driver safety remains paramount.