Google Maps Gets Gemini-Powered AI Recommendations Based on Reviews [Video]

Google Maps is receiving an update that will harness generative AI to create recommendations, summaries, and interactive Q&As based on the mapping service’s existing user reviews. 

The feature, dubbed “inspiration curated,” taps Google Gemini, which already provides summaries to queries on Google search. On Maps, Gemini will pull insights from the billions of reviews users have left about restaurants, tourist sights, and other destinations. 

“When we bring this all together, we will transform the way users interact with Maps,” said Google VP Miriam Daniel in a press briefing on Tuesday. “You can now ask any kind of complex question about places to go to, and things to do, and expect Maps to help you with that.”

In a demo, Daniel showed herself asking the Gemini-powered Google Maps about “things to do at night in Boston.” In response, the app showed a revolving carousel of speakeasy bars that had been highly rated, along with live music …