Apple May Soon Allow ChatGPT and Gemini AI Chatbots on CarPlay, Report Suggests

Apple CarPlay, long known for its tightly controlled app ecosystem, may soon undergo a significant shift. According to a new report, third-party AI chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini could soon find a place on the CarPlay interface, potentially transforming how drivers interact with their vehicles.

The information comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a journalist widely regarded for his accurate insights into Apple’s internal plans and unreleased products. Citing people familiar with the matter, Gurman reports that Apple is working on enabling support for additional AI-driven apps on CarPlay, with the feature expected to arrive in the “coming months.”

If implemented, the move would mark a notable departure from Apple’s traditionally restrictive approach to CarPlay, which has so far limited the platform to a narrow range of navigation, audio, and messaging apps designed to minimize distraction while driving.

According to the report, Siri will continue to serve as the default voice assistant on CarPlay. However, users may soon be given the option to access and activate alternative voice-enabled AI Tools directly from the CarPlay dashboard, should they choose to do so. This would allow drivers to interact with chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini for queries, assistance, or conversational tasks.

At this stage, the exact rollout timeline remains unclear. Apple is expected to release additional updates to iOS 26 in the near future, while iOS 27 is likely to be unveiled around June during Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Gurman, however, does not specify whether the CarPlay AI expansion will arrive as part of a point update or be tied to a major iOS release.

Growing Emphasis on AI Across Apple’s Ecosystem

The possibility of ChatGPT and Gemini appearing on CarPlay reflects a broader shift in Apple’s AI strategy. In recent years, competitors such as Google and OpenAI have made rapid advances in conversational AI, while Apple’s own voice assistant, Siri, has faced criticism for lagging behind in capabilities.

Apple has already acknowledged delays to its long-promised next-generation Siri upgrade, which is now expected to arrive later this year. In the meantime, the company has taken incremental steps to enhance intelligence across its platforms.

With the release of iOS 18, Apple introduced ChatGPT integration into Siri, giving iPhone users access to powerful generative AI features powered by large language models (LLMs). This integration remains active today and works alongside Apple Intelligence, the company’s in-house AI framework that continues to evolve.

Earlier this year, Apple also announced a major collaboration with Google, confirming that Google’s AI models will play a role in powering the upcoming version of Siri, expected to debut with iOS 27. Unlike the ChatGPT integration, which is more visible to users, Google’s AI is expected to operate largely behind the scenes.

While these partnerships are not directly linked to the rumored CarPlay changes, they collectively signal Apple’s growing willingness to allow third-party AI technologies to operate within its ecosystem. This approach not only accelerates feature development but may also help Apple navigate increasing regulatory scrutiny around competition and platform openness.

If ChatGPT and Gemini do make their way to CarPlay, it could significantly enhance the in-car experience by offering more conversational, context-aware assistance—while also marking a rare moment of flexibility in Apple’s famously closed automotive interface.

For now, Apple has not officially commented on the report, but if the rumors prove accurate, drivers may soon have smarter, more versatile AI companions riding along on their CarPlay dashboards.