Navigate the world with flair! Google Maps introduces generative AI, turning your exploration into an interactive journey!
Google Maps is incorporating generative AI, using large language models to assist users in discovering interesting locations. The feature utilizes its large language models to analyze detailed information about over 250 million places on Maps and insights from a community of over 300 million contributors.
It quickly provides suggestions for places like restaurants or shopping based on user queries. Initially, this feature will be accessible in the US, with no information available yet on when it will expand to other countries.
Google naturally positions itself to showcase its AI capabilities as it strives to transform its flagship navigation product into more than just a directional tool but a search tool for discovering new places. The incorporation of generative AI is a logical progression in this direction.
To begin with, Google is taking a measured approach, starting small with the initial integration. The company is collaborating with its Local Guides community of contributors to ensure a thoughtful implementation of generative AI. Initially, only these contributors will have access to the generative AI feature in Google Maps. Subsequently, the company plans to extend access to other users at a later date.
Local Guides, established since at least 2019, represent a global community of explorers contributing by writing reviews, sharing photos, answering questions, adding or editing places, and fact-checking on Google Maps.
While it remains uncertain how distinct this experience will be compared to a regular search in the Google Maps bar, it is speculated that the response might adopt a more conversational, chatbot-style interaction, departing from simply providing a list of vintage shops in proximity order.
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