Apple is preparing to allow voice controlled artificial intelligence apps from other companies to operate within its CarPlay system, marking a notable shift from its long standing reliance on Siri as the sole voice assistant, according to a Bloomberg News report citing people familiar with the matter. The move would, for the first time, enable drivers to interact with third party AI chatbots through the CarPlay interface while on the road.
Under the planned changes, AI developers such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Google would be able to release CarPlay compatible versions of their apps that include voice control features. Users would be able to ask questions and issue commands through these apps once they are opened in CarPlay, expanding the range of conversational and assistive tools available in vehicles beyond Apple’s own ecosystem. Apple declined to comment on the report.
Despite the broader access, Apple is expected to retain tight control over the core CarPlay experience. The company will not allow users to replace the Siri button or alter the wake word that summons Apple’s assistant. Instead, drivers will need to manually open a third party app within CarPlay to activate its voice mode, preserving Siri as the default system level voice interface.
According to the report, Apple is already working to support these third party AI apps in CarPlay within the coming month. Developers will be able to design their apps so that voice mode launches automatically when the app is opened, a move that could significantly enhance in car AI interactions while maintaining Apple’s emphasis on safety and platform control.