Google Maps on Android is now integrating Generative AI, following the company's recent foray into this technology with the launch of the Google Bard chatbot. This enhancement, initially available to Local Guides in the USA, aims to revolutionize the user experience on Google Maps.
The newly introduced Generative AI features allow users to explore and discover new places by engaging with the in-app chatbot using natural language queries. The chatbot responds promptly with tailored results, even accommodating oddly specific requests. The results are presented in a fresh layout, featuring a carousel of photos for the place, overall ratings, and recent user feedback.
A notable feature is the ability to maintain context throughout the interaction. Users can continue asking questions without the need to rephrase the original query each time. This experiment with Generative AI within the Local Guides feature is seen as a precursor to broader integration into Google Maps. Google aims to learn from the initial usage, shaping the future of Google Maps with enhanced AI capabilities.