Volkswagen has upgraded the voice assistant in its cars to be much more conversational than before, thanks to the power of ChatGPT. OpenAI’s conversational companion is integrated into all VW vehicles as promised at CES, including the latest Jettas and electric cars.
ChatGPT is more of an upgrade than a complete overhaul of VW’s infotainment center. The chatbot relies on VW’s longtime voice AI partner, Cerence, and the Cerence Chat Pro platform to enhance VW’s existing Ida voice assistant. The result goes far beyond the usual navigation and climate controls. Using OpenAI’s creation, a driver can get everything from local entertainment suggestions to an impromptu trivia quiz.
Volkswagen’s enhanced 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 informal way. If Ida can’t help, it connects to the cloud, where Cerence Chat Pro processes the query. This cloud-based system uses multiple databases and sources, including ChatGPT, to answer your question.
“We are proud to partner with the Volkswagen Group to deliver immediate value to their drivers as they look to leverage generative AI while on the road,” said Stefan Ortmanns, CEO of Cerence. said“These new capabilities, which will continue to expand, make the IDA voice assistant more knowledgeable, capable and valuable than ever, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable journey.”
Voice clone of your own voice
A key element is how the voice assistant handles data privacy. Volkswagen stressed that the AI does not have access to 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, which will initially be part of Volkswagen’s Car-Net system, but that could change as ChatGPT rolls out to more VW vehicles.
Voice assistants are a common feature in modern vehicles. But VW sees ChatGPT as more than a minor advantage. A more advanced solution than traditional voice assistants could entice people looking for AI that can have natural conversations while they drive. While Mercedes-Benz and other automakers are experimenting with ChatGPT and other generative AI models for their voice assistants, VW’s early adoption could keep the company ahead in the never-ending race to win over 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,” Kai Grünitz, member of the board of management of Volkswagen Brand, explained in a proposition this summer. “By seamlessly integrating ChatGPT into the backend of our voice assistant, we now offer drivers the opportunity to use this artificial intelligence on a daily basis, highlighting how innovative our products are.”
