Volkswagen Integrates ChatGPT into US Vehicles, Enhancing In-Car AI Assistance

AI Road Trip: Volkswagen Rolling Out ChatGPT Integration

Volkswagen's ChatGPT integration will go live in the US later this week. The automaker's Plus Speech voice assistant is coming to the 2025 Jetta, Jetta GTI, and MY24 ID.4 (82kWh battery). The feature, which responds to the name IDA, is powered by Cerence Chat Pro and can perform in-vehicle commands and answer non-driving-related questions, like suggesting restaurants and road trip destinations or creating stories for entertainment. While some commands will be handled locally, anything it can't parse will be handed off to Cerence Chat Pro over the internet. This service will use various sources, including ChatGPT, for more natural-sounding responses. "The latest integration allows drivers and passengers to express themselves more vividly when seeking assistance," VW says. "By simply saying, 'Hi IDA, I'm chilly,' the technology detects that the driver is feeling cold and will automatically activate the heating system." Plus Speech availability and cost vary by vehicle. For example, the ID.4 and ID. Buzz will come with three years of Plus Speech with AI included for free. The GTI, Golf R, and Tiguan will get one year included with a vehicle purchase. Jetta, Jetta GLI, and Taos buyers must purchase a Plus Speech with AI subscription using the myVW mobile. The 2026 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models will include ChatGPT. A full breakdown of Plus Speech-supported vehicles is available on VW's website. For 2025, a Plus Speech with AI subscription costs $11 per year; that may increase by the time the one- or three-year free trials end on the other vehicles, but VW hasn't made any announcements. Volkswagen first announced plans to add OpenAI's chatbot to its vehicles at CES 2024. It's not the only car company integrating ChatGPT; General Motors and Mercedes have also explored using AI. As this new natural language AI rolls out to VW cars, the company has made a point of clarifying that ChatGPT does not access any vehicle information. "All session contextual data is deleted immediately to ensure maximum data protection. The feature prioritizes security and seamlessly integrates with the voice assistant's numerous capabilities," it says.

Volkswagen is rolling out its ChatGPT assistant to the US

Volkswagen is taking its ChatGPT voice assistant experiment on the road. Or more, specifically to vehicles it sells in the United States. The German automaker announced in January at CES 2024 plans to add an AI-powered chatbot into all Volkswagen models equipped with its IDA voice assistant. But the U.S. was excluded in that initial rollout. Now, the automaker is making its ChatGPT-integrated Plus Speech voice assistant -- which is an AI chatbot based on Cerence's Chat Pro product and a large language model from OpenAI -- available in new U.S. vehicles. The rollout begins September 6 with the 2025 2025 Jetta and Jetta GLI models, along with 2024 ID.4 vehicles equipped with an 82-kWh battery. Most 2025 models will offer Plus Speech with AI as they enter the market. Caveat: A subscription required, although the ID.4 and ID Buzz comes with three years of free access.

ChatGPT gives Volkswagen cars the smarts to talk to you all day long

Volkswagen has upgraded the voice assistant in its cars to be a lot more talkative than before, thanks to the power of ChatGPT. OpenAI's conversational companion has been integrated across VW vehicles as promised back at CES, including the newest Jettas and electric cars. ChatGPT is more of an upgrade than a complete reworking of VW's infotainment center. The chatbot relies on VW's long-time voice AI partner, Cerence, and the Cerence Chat Pro platform to enhance VW's existing Ida voice assistant. The result goes well beyond the usual navigation and climate controls. Leveraging OpenAI's creation, a driver can get everything from local entertainment suggestions to a spontaneous trivia quiz. Volkswagen's upgraded voice assistant offers a more intuitive user experience. Activated by phrases such as "Hello IDA" or "Hello Volkswagen," depending on the vehicle, drivers and passengers can now interact with their cars in a more casual way. If Ida can't help you, it connects to the cloud, where Cerence Chat Pro processes the query. This cloud-based system taps into multiple databases and sources, including ChatGPT, to answer your question. "We are proud to partner with Volkswagen Group to deliver immediate value to their drivers as they look to leverage generative AI while on the go," Cerence CEO Stefan Ortmanns said. "These new capabilities - which will continue to expand - make the IDA voice assistant more knowledgeable, capable, and valuable than ever and enable a safer and more enjoyable journey." One important element is how the voice assistant deals with data privacy. Volkswagen emphasized that the AI does not access sensitive vehicle data and that all session data is deleted immediately after each use. Most 2025 Volkswagen models will include the subscription as a free trial when they hit the market. Others will require you to subscribe to VW's Plus Speech with AI, part of Volkswagen's Car-Net system to begin with, but that could change as ChatGPT becomes embedded in more VW vehicles. Voice assistants are a common feature in modern vehicles. But VW sees ChatGPT as more than just a minor perk. A more advanced solution than traditional voice assistants could help entice those looking for an AI that can handle natural conversations while driving. Though Mercedes-Benz and other carmakers are experimenting with ChatGPT and other generative AI models for their voice assistants, VW's early adoption might keep it ahead in the endless race to win new car buyers. "Volkswagen has a long tradition of democratizing technologies. As a volume manufacturer, we make these technologies accessible to large numbers of people," Volkswagen Brand Board of Management member Kai Grünitz explained in a statement this summer. "By seamlessly integrating ChatGPT into the backend of our voice assistant, we are now offering drivers the opportunity to use this artificial intelligence on a daily basis, thus underlining how innovative our products are."

New VWs will answer some of your questions with ChatGPT

Volkswagen has announced it's rolling out its improved in-car AI voice assistant, IDA, with both locally processed and cloud-based responses from ChatGPT and other models, starting on September 6th. The first cars getting the feature will be the 2025 Jetta and Jetta GLI and the 82-kWh battery version of the 2024 ID.4, with other cars getting it later this year. Drivers in cars that support ChatGPT will need to be subscribed to VW's Plus Speech with AI service to get it. Down the line, the company says most of its 2025 models will get the new AI voice assistance features, including the ID.4 and ID Buzz (which will both get it free for three years), and the GTI, Golf R, and Tiguan (free for one year). Jetta, Jetta GLI, and Taos owners will need to subscribe on their own. Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models won't get ChatGPT until 2026, VW says.

ChatGPT is coming to Volkswagen cars in the US this week -- but you'll need to pay for it

VW's IDA AI assistant is getting a ChatGPT-infused boost -- and soon. With AI chatbots appearing on our phones, tablets and just about every kind of computer you can think of, it's no surprise that they're heading to cars as well. We know Google has already announced plans to integrate Gemini with Android Auto, and now Volkswagen has confirmed it'll start letting you talk to ChatGPT in some of its newest cars. VW's in-car voice assistant is called IDA, but will rely on ChatGPT to power local and cloud-based responses. This roll out will begin on September 6, starting with the 2025 Jetta and Jetta GLI, plus the 2024 ID.4 with the 82kWh battery pack. Other cars will eventually get ChatGPT support as well, but that'll be happening at an unspecified point later this year. Apparently "most" of the 2025 VW lineup is in line for AI including other ID.4 models, the ID Buzz van, GTI, Golf R and Tiguan. Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models will have to wait until 2026, however. According to VW, ChatGPT support is being provided by car chatbot company Cerence, and that generative AI responses will kick in when you ask for something a little too complicated for the IDA assistant itself. It also means that IDA will be able to better understand your commands, and the nuances of what you're actually asking for. One example is that you wouldn't need to tell the assistant to set climate control to a set temperature. You could simply say that you're "chilly" and it'll figure out what needs doing from that alone. The downside is that drivers will need a subscription to access these AI features in their car. That's good for people who don't want to opt in to use ChatGPT on the road, and means you won't accidentally start using the AI when you didn't mean to. But the fact you need a VW Plus Speech with AI plan is going to be disappointing for some -- even if it is only $9 a year. Some VW cars will have a subscription included when you buy. The ID.4 and ID Buzz come with 3 years access to the Plus Speech plan, while the GTI, Golf R and Tiguan come with a 1 year subscription. If you're picking up a different car, you'll need to pay for it.