Google trials AI-powered personalized recommendations in Maps app for enhanced discovery

Google is testing generative AI technology in its Google Maps application to boost location discovery and activity suggestions. The feature, currently being tested by a select group of Local Guides in the U.S, allows users to receive personalized recommendations based on text prompts. This includes specific suggestions like "places with a vintage vibe in SF", with the AI providing images and reviews of the suggested locations.

The feature supports ongoing conversations, allowing users to refine their queries for more tailored recommendations. For instance, a user could type "What about options for kids" following a previous conversation and prompting new AI suggestions based on both conversations. It provides lists and locations that fit as closely as possible to what the user is looking for.

The company has not yet announced when the AI feature will be widely available in the Maps app. Meanwhile, Google has integrated its Gemini Pro large language model into its Bard chatbot, which now supports multiple languages.