Google Maps will use AI to answer questions about the new restaurant you want to try

Google Maps is getting a large update that’s expected to assistance you find caller places to sojourn with AI. Starting this week, you’ll beryllium capable to research much locations with Immersive View and hunt for circumstantial spots based connected a descriptive query similar “things to bash with friends astatine night.”

Google volition past usage its Gemini AI exemplary to travel up with “inspirational collections” matching that description. For late-night options, Google Maps mightiness propulsion up locations categorized arsenic “speakeasies” oregon places with “live music.” Meanwhile, regular hunt results stay beneath these collections.

But that’s not the grade of the AI features Google is adding to Maps. Once you pat connected a location, you’ll spot AI-generated summaries of idiosyncratic reviews, on with a punctual to “Ask Maps astir this place.” Here, you tin participate a question, and Maps volition usage Gemini to supply an AI-generated reply based connected what it’s gathered from reviews.

During a property briefing, Google Maps caput Miriam Daniel demonstrated however this mightiness enactment by selecting a edifice and entering, “Is it a quiescent atmosphere?” Google Maps past returned an reply saying the determination “has a lively ambiance and a cozy feel.” Beneath the response, you’ll spot the reviews Gemini utilized to pass its answer. These features are rolling retired connected Android and iOS this week successful the US, building upon the AI integration Google began experimenting with earlier this year.

“We wanted to marque definite that thing we amusement successful this acquisition is caller and factual,” Daniel said. “There are 100 cardinal updates happening each day, and we’re capable to propulsion from that refreshed caller accusation and crushed the results from Gemini... making definite that the results amusement existent places connected the map.”

Google is besides expanding Immersive View to 150 cities. This feature, first rolled retired successful 2022, combines Street View and outer images to supply an aerial presumption of a location, portion besides offering the quality to research a metropolis astatine thoroughfare level. Some different updates see enhanced navigation that volition amusement much details connected the representation erstwhile driving successful prime cities and updates to its Waze-like destination guidance features it previewed successful July. Speaking of Waze, the Google-owned app is besides adding the quality to study incidents connected the roadworthy with your voice.