Rivian’s software chief thinks you don't need CarPlay or buttons

Wassym Bensaid has one of the more complex jobs in the auto industry right now. He's Rivian's chief software officer, which means he oversees everything from the new AI-powered Rivian Assistant to the company's controversial stance against CarPlay. But he's also co-CEO of RV Tech, the joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen that launched about a year and a half ago with nearly $6 billion from VW.

That joint venture puts Bensaid in charge of the operating system and electrical architecture for every future EV from Volkswagen and its brands, including Audi and Scout. It's a massive undertaking that requires preserving Rivian's software culture while scaling the technology to work across a behemoth like Volkswagen Group.

The timing matters because Rivian is about to deliver the more affordable R2, which will be the first vehicle built on this new shared architecture. The company also just shipped its AI-powered Rivian Assistant in R1 vehicles, marking what Bensaid describes as the beginning of a big bet on creating a more agentic software platform in cars.

For anyone following the AI assistant space, Rivian's approach is worth watching. The company is trying to build something more capable than the basic voice commands we're used to in cars, though early experiences suggest it's powerful and frustrating in equal measure.

As for CarPlay and physical buttons, Bensaid hasn't changed his tune. He still views buttons as an anomaly and remains firmly against integrating Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. That stance might be easier to defend if Rivian's own software experience becomes genuinely better than what your phone can do.

The real test will be whether this new architecture and AI-first approach actually delivers something users prefer over the familiar comfort of their phone's interface. With the R2 launch approaching and the VW partnership ramping up, we'll find out soon enough if Bensaid's vision can scale beyond Rivian's premium vehicles.