23:49 08-02-2026

Apple CarPlay to support third-party AI assistants including ChatGPT

Apple is opening CarPlay to third-party AI assistants like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, with updates expected soon. Siri remains default as Apple enhances its AI strategy.

Apple is gradually shifting its artificial intelligence strategy, with CarPlay emerging as a key platform where this change will be most visible. The company is preparing to open its automotive system to third-party AI assistants, including market leaders like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. The arrival of external AI in CarPlay was only a matter of time.

Apple has already acknowledged falling behind in the AI race, and its recent partnership with Google confirms this strategic pivot. According to sources, support for third-party chatbots could arrive in CarPlay within the coming months, with major changes expected in future iOS updates. Importantly, Apple isn't abandoning Siri entirely.

The voice assistant will remain available in CarPlay and keep its default status. Third-party AI systems won't automatically replace Siri—they'll operate as separate applications. This means users will need to manually launch ChatGPT or Gemini if they prefer them over the built-in assistant. For Apple, this approach buys valuable time.

The company still plans to release its own AI-powered version of Siri, though the timeline remains uncertain. The longer this takes, the greater the risk that users will permanently switch to alternative solutions and stop viewing Siri as a capable assistant.

Key details are likely to be revealed at Apple's WWDC conference, traditionally held in spring. The final release of the new iOS version will probably arrive in autumn, which is when CarPlay could gain full third-party AI support.

For now, ChatGPT and Gemini are already available on iPhone, and Siri will become "smarter" in the future by leveraging Google's models. This means even those tired of AI's pervasive presence will have to accept it: artificial intelligence in cars is now an unavoidable reality.

Apple is betting on ecosystem over in-house development. For CarPlay, this is a step forward, but keeping Siri as the default assistant shows the company still fears ceding complete control over the user experience.