Google Maps Unveils AI-Powered 'Ask Maps' with Food Ordering, Hotel Search

Google Maps has rolled out a range of new features for its AI-powered 'Ask Maps' tool, allowing users to perform more personalized and conversational requests. This includes ordering food from restaurants along their route, finding hotels that suit specific requirements, and contributing location information conversationally.

The tool now allows users to ask Google to order food while considering contextual information such as dietary needs, location, and saved places. For example, users can ask 'order spicy pad kee mao with seafood for me to pick up on my way home', and the AI will find open restaurants along their route that serve that meal.

Ask Maps has also added support for finding hotels and local events based on specific requirements, such as aesthetic or proximity to gyms and restaurants. Additionally, users can contribute location information conversationally, including uploading photographs of storefront signs that the AI will automatically extract information from.