Apple to Allow Third-Party AI Chatbots in CarPlay

By Joel South Published Feb 6, 4:50PM EST

Quick Read

Apple (AAPL) will open CarPlay to third-party AI chatbots but keeps Siri as primary assistant.
Apple acquired Q.AI for $2B and pays Google $1B annually to power Siri features.
Apple stock gained 19.78% over the past year as Q4 revenue jumped 23%.

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Apple to Allow Third-Party AI Chatbots in CarPlay — © Apple Inc.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction) is preparing to open CarPlay to third-party AI chatbots including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude within the coming months, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The move marks a strategic shift for Apple, which has historically restricted CarPlay to specific app categories like navigation and entertainment.

Users will be able to query AI assistants directly through CarPlay’s vehicle interface using voice commands, but with one key limitation: Apple will not allow these chatbots to replace Siri as the primary voice assistant. Instead, drivers must open the third-party AI app to activate voice control, though developers can design apps to launch voice mode automatically.

The timing aligns with Apple’s broader AI push. The company recently acquired Israeli AI startup Q.AI for $2 billion, specializing in silent speech technology that reads facial movements to control AI systems. Apple is also integrating Google Gemini through a reported $1 billion annual deal to power enhanced Siri capabilities in upcoming iOS updates.

This decision acknowledges growing demand for advanced conversational AI while driving. Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) already offers xAI’s Grok chatbot in its vehicles, and automakers are increasingly building native AI integrations that bypass CarPlay entirely. As we discussed in today’s Daily Profit newsletter, the AI chip sector and automotive AI partnerships are reshaping competitive dynamics across the tech industry. Apple’s move positions the company to compete as automotive AI becomes table stakes.

Investors have responded positively to Apple’s AI strategy. The stock trades at $278.12, up 7.18% over the past week and 19.78% year-over-year. The company’s recent Q4 2025 earnings beat with revenue up 23% and surprising strength in China revenue have reinforced confidence. With 29 analysts rating the stock buy or strong buy versus just 3 sell ratings, the consensus is that Apple’s pragmatic approach to AI integration, partnering rather than building everything in-house, differentiates it from competitors facing investor skepticism over massive AI spending with unclear returns.

About the Author Joel South →

Joel South covers large-cap stocks, dividend investing, and major market trends, with a focus on earnings analysis, valuation, and turning complex data into actionable insights for investors.

He brings more than 15 years of experience as an investor and financial journalist, including 12 years at The Motley Fool, where he served as an investment analyst, Bureau Chief, and later led the Fool.com investing news desk. He has also co-hosted an investing podcast and appeared across TV and radio discussing market trends.