Google, part of Alphabet Inc., recently announced a major update incorporating its AI chatbot, Gemini, into Google Maps. This integration aims to offer more personalized, context-aware location recommendations, marking a significant leap in Google’s AI-driven capabilities. CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted during Alphabet’s quarterly earnings that Google Maps now has over 2 billion monthly active users, attributing recent AI investments as a positive boost to the company’s growth.
The new Gemini-powered feature enhances search results within Google Maps to better address open-ended queries like “fun autumn activities in Seattle” or “things to do with friends at night in Boston.” Previous versions of Google Maps provided broader, more general suggestions. Now, the app offers more specific, context-sensitive options, such as nearby speakeasies or live music spots, tailored to the time of day or season.
Miriam Daniel, Google Maps’ vice president of customer experiences, explained during a press briefing that this update goes beyond simple searches like “what’s near me?” She noted that Gemini’s contextual understanding can cater to more specific requests, like “What can I do tonight?”
In the updated Maps interface, these tailored results will appear around existing listings, similar to Google’s AI-generated summaries in its search tool. Users can also interact with Gemini for additional insights about specific locations, receiving responses informed by prior user reviews. To reduce errors or misleading AI-generated information—often called “hallucinations”—Gemini cross-references its responses with verified data gathered by Google.
Alongside Google Maps, other Google products are also receiving AI enhancements. Waze, the navigation app, and Google Earth are being updated with new AI functionalities, as Google works to broaden the reach and impact of AI across its platforms.
