Google is working to make its Maps service do more than just tell users where to turn left—eventually planning to also offer everything from relevant content to future vacation ideas.
The search giant said this week that it is partnering with media outlets including the New York Times, Lonely Planet and The Infatuation to add curated restaurant and attraction listings to select travel destinations, starting with 40 cities in the US and Canada. The company provided more details on how it is pioneering generative AI in Maps, a program announced in February that is currently in a pilot phase with select power users.
The updates, which Tech Brew announced at Google’s travel event in Manhattan this week, come after Google using AI— not just generative AI — to change aspects of Maps, from information about electric vehicle charging stations to more effective recommendations.
Fashion travel tip
In addition to listings created by publisher partners, Google Maps will also generate lists of “trending” restaurants that are particularly popular right now and “hidden gems” or “up-and-coming” places that are “steadily gaining popularity.” there’s a lot of interest,” Andrew Duchi, Google Maps’ chief product officer, said on stage.
Asked by another journalist at the event whether Google planned to include lists of recommendations from other sources, such as travel bloggers, Duchi replied: “We’ll work with the little guys… we’ll take a sort of cautious approach as we start to surface.” this first, but we’ll try to find some of these great listings in the Maps community.”
“We have certain partnerships that I can’t do with some of the larger publishers,” Duci told Tech Brew at the event. “We do not pay creators to create this content. However, we try to have conversations with them… like, “How can we make this useful for you?” How is this a tool that you can use?”
AI is everywhere
Google plans to roll out generative AI features more widely in Maps in the future as the tech giant continues weave technology in all of his proposals. Duchi said the integration will make Maps more interactive, so users can, for example, ask what to do on a rainy day in Chicago and refine the results through dialogue, such as asking for kid-friendly options.
According to Duchi, the feature is currently solely in the hands of top volunteer Local Experts, and there is no “specific time frame” for when it will be available to all Maps users.
This article was originally published V Technical beerbranch Morning beer.