Gemini Now Integrated In Google Maps, Increase Search Result Accuracy

JAKARTA The giant technology company Alphabet Inc., which is Google's parent company, announced Gemini's integration, its latest artificial intelligence chatbot, into a popular map app, including Google Maps.

The move aims to improve user experience with more relevant and contextual search results, while offsetting its lag in AI from competitors such as Microsoft-backed OpenAI.

Google Maps now serves more than 2 billion monthly active users, making it one of the most widely used map applications in the world. Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, in its quarterly earnings report released on Tuesday, October 29, revealed that Google's huge investment in AI technology is starting to pay off for the company's profits.

In this update, Google Maps is now able to answer more specific and contextual searches. For example, if a user types "night activities in Boston" or "winter activities in Seattle," the results that appear will be more specific according to the relevant time or season.

This new search result allows users to find unique places such as hidden bars or live music venues, compared to generic results that are often less relevant.

wa Daniel, Vice President of Google Maps Consumer Experience, explained that Gemini, AI which is now embedded in Maps, is able to understand the context of searches such as time and season. This is not just 'what is near me?' but rather 'what can I do tonight?, he said at a press event on Wednesday, October 30.

Interactive Features

Similar to AI Overview on Google search engines, AI results on Maps do not replace the list of existing locations, but are displayed above or below the list. This gives users flexibility to get advice without eliminating standard information.

In addition, users can directly ask Gemini about a specific place, and this AI will analyze existing user reviews to provide relevant answers. This feature is designed to provide users with more information based on real experiences from other users.

Google also emphasized the importance of accuracy in AI answers in Maps. After getting criticism regarding some inaccurate AI results, such as pizza recipes that include glue as material, Google ensures that Gemini in Maps has gone through strict verification. Gemini's answer on Maps is cross-checked with real-world data that Google has collected, in order to minimize the risk of error or bias in AI response.

AI Integration In Google Earth And Waze

Apart from Google Maps, the new AI feature is also launched on other mapping applications, such as Google Earth and the Waze navigation app. On Google Earth, AI helps city developers and planners analyze geographic data more quickly and efficiently.

Meanwhile, Waze now has a feature that allows users to report traffic incidents with just voice commands, making driving experience safer and more comfortable.

With this integration, Google shows its seriousness in utilizing AI to improve map services and increase user satisfaction in various applications that have become part of people's daily lives