Apple Will Allow Third-Party Voice AI Chatbots in CarPlay

• Apple is preparing to let voice-controlled AI apps from other companies run inside CarPlay, according to people familiar with the matter.
• The change would let drivers and passengers query third-party AI chatbots through Apple’s vehicle interface for the first time.
• The move expands CarPlay beyond Apple’s own voice assistant and could reshape in-car AI experiences, raising questions about safety, privacy, and app review.

What Apple is changing

Apple Inc. is preparing to allow voice-controlled artificial intelligence apps from other companies to operate inside CarPlay, according to people familiar with the matter. This would be the first time third-party AI chatbots can be accessed directly through Apple’s vehicle interface.

The change applies specifically to voice-controlled AI apps, meaning users could query chatbots using CarPlay’s voice interaction system while driving or parked. Apple’s move marks an expansion of the CarPlay platform beyond the company’s own voice assistant capabilities.

Why this matters

Allowing outside AI chatbots in CarPlay broadens user choice and could accelerate innovation in in-car voice experiences. Drivers and passengers might gain access to new services — from conversational helpers to travel planning and content summarization — through their vehicle’s existing interface.

For developers, the opportunity to integrate voice AI into CarPlay opens a new distribution channel into vehicles, which have become important platforms for hands-free and contextual computing.

Risks and considerations

Bringing third-party AI into cars raises clear safety and privacy questions. Voice AI interactions must be designed to minimize driver distraction and comply with automotive interface standards.

Privacy and data handling will be central concerns as third-party chatbots process voice queries routed through CarPlay. How Apple vets and monitors those apps — and what limits it places on data sharing — will shape adoption and regulatory reaction.

What to watch next

Apple has not announced timing or detailed rules for how the integration will work. Watch for further reporting on developer guidelines, safety limits, and whether Apple imposes technical or review requirements for in-car AI apps.

This development signals a meaningful shift for CarPlay: from a controlled interface dominated by Apple services to a more open platform for third-party conversational AI. The change could redefine how people use voice assistants in vehicles, but implementation details will determine how much impact it ultimately has.