Apple AI foundations are opening across its entire portfolio. Thanks in no part to the slow development of Siri, Apple had to piggyback atop ChatGPT for Apple Intelligence. A few weeks ago, the company announced that it would use the same foundations as Gemini to power the next-gen version of Siri.
What’s changing?
The next avenue for “AI externalization” in Apple’s ecosystem is CarPlay. According to Bloomberg, Apple is planning to allow AI models from other companies on its in-car digital connectivity system. So far, CarPlay has only allowed Siri as the sole digital assistant.
“With the move, AI providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic PBC and Alphabet Inc.’s Google will be able to release CarPlay versions of their apps that include a voice-control mode,” reports Bloomberg. Given Apple’s recent partnerships with Google and OpenAI, it’s actually pretty surprising that these apps took so long to land within the CarPlay stack.
The arrival of ChatGPT and Gemini comes at a time when CarPlay Ultra is struggling to find partners. So far, it has been limited to Aston Martin vehicles, and it might expand to Hyundai or Kia cars later this year.
Why does it matter?
Google, on the other hand, has already showcased deep Gemini integration on cars running the Android Auto stack. Mercedes-Benz adopted a Gemini-based assistant and integrated it within the MBUX Virtual Assistant system a year ago. Google is even planning to bring Gemini shortcuts and widgets to cars.
Apple is finally making a course correction, but it won’t be a completely open playground for the likes of Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. “Apple won’t let users replace the Siri button on CarPlay or the wake word that summons the service,” adds the Bloomberg report.
That means Siri will remain the default assistant, while other AI assistants such as ChatGPT or Gemini can only be accessed by opening their dedicated apps built for the CarPlay platform. It would be interesting to see whether these assistants will also be able to interact with other system apps such as Map or Apple Music, the way you can already achieve agentic work on phones.