Apple Brings ChatGPT and AI Chatbots to CarPlay

Voice-only access coming soon to Apple's in-car platform

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Apple is set to expand its CarPlay platform to include support for ChatGPT and other AI chatbots, allowing drivers to access these AI assistants hands-free through voice commands. This marks a significant shift for Apple's in-car system, which has traditionally been limited to Siri and other native iOS features.

Why it matters

This move by Apple comes as automakers like Tesla and BMW are increasingly integrating their own AI assistants directly into vehicle infotainment systems, potentially making CarPlay feel outdated. By embracing AI chatbots, Apple is working to keep CarPlay relevant and competitive in an evolving in-car technology landscape.

The details

According to Bloomberg sources, the new CarPlay feature will allow users to open their preferred AI chatbot app, such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Claude, and then speak their questions naturally without having to touch their phone. The implementation will be carefully controlled, with the AI apps operating in a sandbox and unable to override Siri's functionality or control any vehicle functions.

  • The new CarPlay AI chatbot integration is expected to arrive 'within the coming months', though Apple has not confirmed an official release timeline.
  • It remains unclear whether the feature will be part of iOS 26 or if it will wait for the preview of iOS 27 in June.

The players

Apple

The technology company behind the CarPlay in-car platform and the iOS operating system.

ChatGPT

An artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI that will be integrated into the CarPlay platform.

Google Gemini

An AI chatbot developed by Google that will also be integrated into the CarPlay platform.

Claude

An AI chatbot that will be integrated into the CarPlay platform alongside ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

Tesla

An automaker that has been integrating its own AI assistants directly into its vehicle infotainment systems, posing a potential challenge to Apple's CarPlay platform.

BMW

Another automaker that has been integrating AI assistants into its in-car systems, potentially making CarPlay feel outdated.

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What they’re saying

“This marks a significant expansion of Apple's in-car platform since its 2014 launch, finally cracking open the walled garden that frustrated millions of drivers.”

— Annemarije de Boer, Technology journalist (gadgetreview.com)

What’s next

Apple has not confirmed an official release timeline for the new CarPlay AI chatbot integration, but it is expected to arrive 'within the coming months'.

The takeaway

By embracing AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Apple is working to keep its CarPlay platform relevant and competitive in an evolving in-car technology landscape, where automakers are increasingly integrating their own AI assistants directly into vehicle infotainment systems.