Oct 31, 2024 - Technology

Google infuses its maps with generative AI

Ina Fried

Google VP Miriam Daniel shows off new AI-powered features in Google Maps. Photo: Ina Fried/Axios

Google is adding several AI-based features to its mapping products, including the ability to use Gemini inside Google Maps to get suggestions on places to check out.

Why it matters: It's the latest in a wave of updates from Google and the rest of the tech sector, all eager to show they are using AI anywhere and everywhere.

Driving the news: Google announced it is incorporating its Gemini chatbot in Google Maps to summarize reviews and help answer questions related to destinations.

The new feature will roll out this week to U.S. users of the Android and iOS apps.
Google is also using AI analysis of its mapping data to offer more detailed descriptions of which lane a driver should be in to proceed through a route.
In the Waze app, the company is using generative AI to allow people to speak into the app to report road hazards and other obstacles with a voice description.

What they're saying: "You can now ask any kind of complex question about places to go to, or things to do, and expect Maps to help you with that," Google Maps VP and general manager Miriam Daniel said at a briefing with reporters in Palo Alto on Tuesday.

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Google infuses its maps with generative AI

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