Google Maps Gets Agentic with New AI-Powered Task Automation

Google Maps has introduced an agentic feature that automates some tasks for users. The new capability, called 'Ask Maps,' uses artificial intelligence to handle complex, multi-step tasks such as ordering food or booking hotels. For example, if a user wants to order food from their favorite restaurant on the way home from work, Ask Maps can find open restaurants along the route that serve the desired dish and consider dietary needs.

The feature will rely on partnerships with Square and Toast at first launch, and later include Uber Eats for food ordering. Ask Maps can also book hotels by considering factors such as price range, location, and amenities. To use this feature, users must allow Ask Maps to access their Gmail or Google Calendar accounts.

Google's Personal Intelligence update will be off by default but can provide hyperpersonalized recommendations based on user history and email correspondence. This means that Maps can suggest where to grab a bite before a flight and tips for getting to the airport on time. The agentic feature will also remember every conversation, allowing users to pick up where they left off.

The new features are only available in the United States at this time but will be expanded to other countries soon. Google's goal is to make AI-driven hyperpersonalization and agentic assistants a standard part of its products.