Volkswagen, in cooperation with technology partner Cerence, is integrating ChatGPT into its vehicles. At CES 2024 Volkswagen is presenting the first vehicles in which the artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT is integrated into VW’s IDA voice assistant.

In the future, customers will have seamless access to the constantly growing artificial intelligence database in all Volkswagen models equipped with the IDA voice assistant and will be able to have researched content read out to them while driving.

Cerence Chat Pro from technology partner Cerence Inc. is the foundation of the new function, which offers an intelligent, automotive-grade ChatGPT integration. Volkswagen is the first volume manufacturer that will offer Chat GPT as a standard feature from the second quarter of 2024 in many production vehicles. The feature is being considered for the United States.

The new chatbot will be offered in conjunction with the latest generation of infotainment in the ID.71, ID.4, ID.5, ID.3, the all-new Tiguan and the all-new Passat as well as in the new Golf3/4.

The integration of ChatGPT into the backend of the Volkswagen voice assistant offers a multitude of new capabilities that go far beyond the previous voice control. For example, the IDA voice assistant can be used to control the infotainment, navigation and air conditioning, or to answer general knowledge questions. In the future, AI will provide additional information in response to questions that go beyond this as part of its continuously expanding capabilities.

This coule be helpful on many levels during a car journey: Enriching conversations, clearing up questions, interacting in intuitive language, receiving vehicle-specific information, and much more—purely hands-free.

Nothing changes for the person behind the wheel. There is no need to create a new account, install a new app or activate ChatGPT: The voice assistant is activated by saying “Hello IDA” or by pressing the button on the steering wheel. IDA automatically prioritizes whether a vehicle function should be executed, a destination searched and the temperature adjusted. If the request cannot be answered by the Volkswagen system, it is forwarded anonymously to AI and the familiar Volkswagen voice responds.

ChatGPT does not gain any access to vehicle data; questions and answers are deleted immediately to ensure the highest possible level of data protection. This is facilitated by Cerence Chat Pro, which leverages a multitude of sources, including ChatGPT, to enable IDA to provide relevant responses to nearly every query imaginable. The feature also prioritizes security and seamless integration with IDA’s myriad capabilities, delivering ease of use for drivers.