Apple is preparing to change the way we use Apple CarPlay in cars by enabling support for AI chatbots, including popular services such as ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude. This major upgrade comes with the announced iOS 26.4 update, which is currently in beta and is expected to be released in the spring of 2026.
Until now, CarPlay was limited to supporting certain types of applications – navigation, music and communication, and the only voice interface was Siri. Apple, however, has decided to open up the system to a new category called “voice-based conversational apps”, which will allow third-party AI chatbot applications to work directly within CarPlay, without the need for the user to use the iPhone itself while driving.
Technically, Apple has added a new type of application in the CarPlay Developer Guide that enables voice communication with AI agents. When such an application is running on CarPlay, the system displays a specialized Voice Control screen optimized for driving, with simple visual feedback and a focus on voice interaction.
However, there are important safety and design limits as you cannot control the functions of the vehicle or the iPhone only through the chatbot, i.e. the AI will not be able to influence the air conditioning, navigation or systems of the car. Also, there is no wake word activation like “Hey Siri”, instead the user will have to manually launch the app before they can talk to the chatbot.
Apple also requires these apps to remain simple and focused to minimize driver distraction.
In practice, with the support of application manufacturers, drivers will be able to use ChatGPT or other AI models for voice queries, from searching for information and answering questions to auxiliary functions such as composing messages or getting navigation tips, without looking at the mobile screen. The move reflects a broader trend of integrating generative artificial intelligence into everyday technology, including in the automotive context, as Apple tries to maintain a balance between user functionality and safety on the road.
Opening up CarPlay to AI chatbots marks an important milestone in the way we interact with in-vehicle information. Instead of limited voice commands, drivers will be able to have natural, conversational dialogues with sophisticated AI assistants, a step that could reshape common tasks such as getting information and driving assistance.
However, Apple remains cautious: Siri will remain the primary system voice assistant, and the new AI integration will not be considered a replacement, but an additional tool that users can launch and use safely while on the road, reports Mashable.