Apple CarPlay expands with third-party voice AI assistants

Apple is preparing to expand CarPlay's capabilities by allowing the use of third-party voice AI assistants. According to Bloomberg, the automotive system will gain support for applications like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Google's Gemini, which can handle complex and detailed queries that Siri currently struggles with.

This is specifically an addition, not a replacement for Siri. Third-party AI assistants will not gain access to the system's voice control button and cannot operate using their own activation phrases like "Hey Google." To use an alternative assistant while driving, the driver will need to manually open the corresponding app within the CarPlay interface. This makes the integration less seamless but maintains Apple's control over key system functions.

A technically similar scenario is already possible via Bluetooth and voice modes in AI apps on smartphones, but native support in CarPlay will simplify interaction and make it safer behind the wheel. Apple appears to be continuing Siri's development while simultaneously giving users more freedom of choice by allowing them to connect external AI tools where its proprietary assistant currently falls short.