Google Maps' Ask Maps AI can now order food and offer personalized recommendations

Google Maps has expanded the capabilities of its AI-powered Ask Maps tool, enabling it to handle a wider range of personalized and conversational requests, including ordering food, finding hotels, and offering suggestions based on users' existing plans.

Miriam Daniel, head of Google Maps, said the new features aim to make it easier than ever to get things done without leaving the app. The new agentic capabilities allow Ask Maps to order food while taking into account contextual information such as dietary needs, location, and saved places. For instance, a user could ask the tool to “order spicy pad kee mao with seafood for me to pick up on my way home” before leaving work. Ask Maps will then find open restaurants along the route home that serve that dish. Once a restaurant is selected, the tool can automatically add the dish to the cart so the user can complete the order. Food ordering is rolling out with partners including Square and Toast, with Uber Eats support coming soon.

Hotels and events

Ask Maps can now also find hotels and local events that match specific requirements, such as a particular aesthetic or being within walking distance of gyms, restaurants, and other facilities. In addition, users can contribute and edit location information conversationally through Ask Maps or the Contribute tab. This includes uploading photos like storefront signs, from which Maps automatically extracts details such as updated opening hours, before asking for confirmation prior to submission.

Food ordering, hotel and event discovery, and conversational contributions are rolling out now in the US, with more countries to follow.

Personal Intelligence and transit

Google Maps has also begun adding Personal Intelligence, a Gemini-powered feature that personalizes AI responses by connecting to data from other Google apps. This allows Ask Maps to automatically consider existing plans, such as upcoming flights or dinner reservations, when responding to requests. Personal Intelligence initially connects Ask Maps to Gmail – a feature disabled by default – with support for other apps like Calendar coming soon.

The Ask Maps feature has gained real-time transit information, enabling users to check live updates for delays to their next bus, train, subway, or ferry ride. The live transit widget and more personalized responses are rolling out everywhere Ask Maps is available. As of today, availability has expanded to include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico.