🐂 Not all bull runs are created equal. November’s AI picks include 5 stocks up +20% eachUnlock Stocks

Google brings AI answers to map applications

Published 10/31/2024, 10:18 AM
Updated 10/31/2024, 08:15 PM
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Alphabet logo and AI Artificial Intelligence words are seen in this illustration taken, May 4, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
GOOGL
-

By Kenrick Cai

(Reuters) - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)'s Google on Thursday announced a set of features that incorporated Gemini, its artificial intelligence chatbot, into its suite of mapping applications.

Widely perceived to have relinquished an early lead on AI development to rivals like Microsoft-backed OpenAI, Google has attempted to catch up by incorporating research advances into existing apps and devices with large user bases.

Google Maps is a prominent example. The product surpassed 2 billion monthly active users, CEO Sundar Pichai said Tuesday during quarterly earnings where he touted investments in AI as "paying off" for its top line.

Thursday's announcement showcased a new category of search results that can better process open-ended search queries, such as "things to do with friends at night in Boston" or "fun fall activities in Seattle."

Past versions of the Google Maps app respond to such queries with more generic results that are not as accurate. In the past, it displayed a wide range of tourist attractions in Boston including some that are closed at night, whereas the updated app will show more tailored options like a list of speakeasies or live music venues.

Gemini can better understand context like the time of day or season, said Miriam Daniel, a vice president in charge of consumer experiences for Google Maps, at a press event on Wednesday.

"It's not just 'What's near me?' It's actually 'What can I do tonight?'" she said.

Similar to AI Overviews, the AI-generated summaries in Google's search tool, the new results in Maps will not replace existing location listings, but rather be displayed above or below them.

Consumers can also ask Gemini questions about a specific place and the software will analyze existing user reviews to answer the question.

The company has come under fire for inaccurate AI search results, including biased responses and a pizza recipe that listed glue as an ingredient. To avoid such problems, known as hallucinations, with Maps, responses from Gemini are cross-referenced against real-world data that Google has collected.

© Reuters. Google Maps app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Google also revealed on Thursday new AI capabilities in other tools like Google Earth and vehicle navigation app Waze.

They include chatbots to help developers and urban planners to analyze map and geographic data more quickly, and a feature in Waze that allows drivers to report road incidents by voice.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.