Code from the latest beta version of Google Maps has revealed clues that an AI-powered chatbot will soon be integrated into the mapping app. Difficult to say what his role would be for the moment.
Since the introduction of Google Bard, its conversational language model, in February 2023, Google has made sure to add touches of artificial intelligence to the vast majority of its services and applications. In September, the Mountain View firm also confirmed its ambitions with Bard, in integrating its AI into all of its services via a dedicated extension.
In this way, generative AI will be able to rely on information recorded in Google Docs, YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps or even Google Drive to provide you with personalized and contextualized responses.
However, we have just learned that Google Maps could be the next application to benefit from deeper AI integration. Indeed, the code of the latest beta version of the app contains several mentions of a chatbot. Certain lines of code indicate in particular that the convo_contribs functionality is linked to a sculpin.
Also read : Google Maps is full of new AI-boosted features, here they are
Soon a sculpin on Google Maps?
Unfortunately, apart from these few mentions, it is impossible to know what this sculpin will look like, what it will be used for and how it will integrate with the rest of the Google Maps app. However, we can indulge in the game of speculation like our colleagues from the Android Authority site. According to the American media, this sculpin could be particularly useful in as part of the Local Guides program.
As a reminder, Local Guides presents itself in Google’s terms as a global community made up of users who “like to write reviews, share photos, answer questions, add or edit locations, and check information on Google Maps”. Please note that any user can create a Local Guide, simply register on the program’s dedicated page and enter their city.
Adding a sculpin to Google Maps would notably make it possible to make the review verification process easier and faster published by program members. Another hypothesis, the chatbot could also provide additional information about your destination or points of interest to visit during your journey. Another relevant idea, this chabot could also be used to put the user in contact with companies from Google Maps, such as a restaurant, hotel or museum for example.
Source: Android Authority