ChatGPT-powered voice assist is coming to some Volkswagen models in the US market

Volkswagen recently launched its ChatGPT-integrated Plus Speech voice assistant in the United States. The voice assistant, developed in partnership with Cerence Inc. and powered by Cerence Chat Pro, was first announced in this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), in Las Vegas. At the CES, Volkswagen announced that the ChatGPT integration would start rolling out globally starting the second trimester of 2024. In the United States, the ChatGPT integration officially launches on September 6, 2024, beginning with the 2025 Jetta and Jetta GLI models, and 2024 ID.4 vehicles equipped with an 82-kWh battery. These models will be followed by 2025 ID.4 vehicles for which the integration will be ready later this year.

Since access to the feature will require a "Plus Speech with AI" subscription, many 2025 models will include a Plus Speech with AI trial when they enter the market: The ID.4 and ID. Buzz include a three-year subscription, and the GTI, Golf R, and Tiguan will have a one-year free trial included. Jetta, Jetta GLI, and Taos models will be compatible with the service, but activation will require vehicle owners to subscribe to Plus Speech with AI through the myVW mobile app. The 2026 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models will also ship with the Plus Speech with AI service. Furthermore, the ChatGPT integration will be automatically activated for compatible MY24 ID.4 vehicles with an active Plus Speech subscription.

The ChatGPT integration enhances Volkswagen's existing voice-assist technology by enabling users to have a more conversational experience. For instance, rather than instructing the assistant to turn on the heating system by saying "Hey, IDA, can you please set the temperature at 70 degrees?", users can instead say "Hi IDA, I'm chilly," to get the assistant to turn on the heater. Queries unrelated to the car's functions are redirected to the cloud for Cerence Chat Pro to process by consulting several sources, including ChatGPT, to provide a suitable answer. According to Volkswagen, this can include anything from restaurant recommendations and road trip destinations to making up stories to entertain the passengers.

In addition to seamlessly integrating with the voice-assist existing capabilities, the ChatGPT integration prioritizes users' privacy and security. For this reason, no vehicle data is shared with ChatGPT and any contextual data is deleted immediately after the query is resolved.