Apple is exploring ways to allow third-party AI chatbot applications to run within its CarPlay system, potentially expanding how drivers interact with in-car infotainment, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter.
Apple CarPlay currently mirrors selected iPhone apps onto a vehicle’s infotainment screen, enabling access to navigation, music, messaging and other functions primarily through Siri. Support for AI chatbot apps would extend CarPlay beyond Apple’s own voice assistant, opening the door to conversational AI services inside vehicles.
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The reported initiative would theoretically enable chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude to operate through CarPlay, although Apple has not announced any specific partners or a timeline for implementation.
Apple recently unveiled CarPlay Ultra, a more deeply integrated version of the platform that extends beyond the central infotainment screen to include the digital instrument cluster. Depending on automaker support, CarPlay Ultra can also control certain vehicle functions, such as climate settings, signaling Apple’s ambition to play a larger role in the in-car software experience.
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The move comes as automakers take differing positions on smartphone-based infotainment. In November 2025, Tesla was reported to be evaluating the integration of Apple CarPlay into its vehicles, a potential shift after years of relying exclusively on its proprietary software and limiting iPhone connectivity to basic Bluetooth functions.
By contrast, BMW has publicly questioned the assumption that CarPlay is essential for drivers, pointing to internal data suggesting many customers prefer its built-in navigation system over smartphone-based alternatives. The debate reflects broader industry tensions over who controls the digital interface inside vehicles.
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Meanwhile, Rivian has reaffirmed its decision not to support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, maintaining that a proprietary operating system offers a more tightly integrated user experience.