Siri interaction is already possible through CarPlay, and soon Apple may extend support for AI chatbot apps on the dashboard. According to a report by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, insiders have revealed that Apple is working on allowing “voice-controlled artificial intelligence apps from other companies” on CarPlay. The project is currently in progress and could be announced in the upcoming months.
If this information is accurate and the plan goes smoothly, it could be a new feature in iOS 27, typically unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. Gurman describes this move as a “strategic shift” for Apple, enabling users to replace Siri with another voice assistant, such as Gemini and ChatGPT, through standard iPhone apps. Currently, Apple strictly controls what can appear on the CarPlay dashboard.
Drivers could ask ChatGPT for restaurant recommendations without taking their hands off the wheel. While Apple customers have been eager for this option, there’s no guarantee that developers will utilize this capability.
Mark Gurman
The Regulatory ‘Writing on the Wall’
This move resembles a similar shift in Japan in iOS 26.2, which was legally mandated under the country’s Mobile Software Competition Act. Apple might be preemptively addressing potential regulations by allowing this feature. It remains to be seen if iOS 27 will expand the configurable Siri button beyond Japan, as Gurman suggests that users won’t be able to replace the Siri button or wake word on CarPlay.
Developers will need to release compatible versions of their apps for CarPlay interaction. The opportunity to reach millions of iPhone users through CarPlay should incentivize developers to adapt their chatbots for this platform.
Beyond the ‘Ask ChatGPT’
While ChatGPT can already be accessed through CarPlay via Siri, native support for ChatGPT or Gemini could enable more natural chatbot interactions. Apple is reportedly working on a next-gen Siri for iOS 27, aiming to offer full conversational threads. The convenience of using Siri may outweigh the need to switch to a different voice assistant through manual app launching.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Take all rumors with a grain of salt.]
