Google has become one of the biggest names in the AI-based development space on its own merits. The company is a pioneer in implementing artificial intelligence in mobile devices, offering advanced features and new possibilities. However, it has also implemented AI in its software products and services via Gemini models. Google’s new AI-powered virtual tourist guide is proof of that.
Since Google offers many products and services, you may not know them all. The Arts & Culture app is not as mainstream as Google Maps or Gmail, but it has a solid user base. As its name suggests, the app is a hub for multiple fun features and options related to art. For example, you can take virtual tours of cultural places (or “landmarks”) powered by Google Maps Street View.
Google develops an “AI tour guide” that offers commentary on what’s around you
Now, Google is integrating “Talking Tours” as a new AI-powered feature to the Arts & Culture app. Talking Tours harnesses the power of generative AI to give you audible commentary on artwork, locations, and other things of artistic value during virtual tours. The feature supports hotspots in up to 55 locations around the world.
That said, the feature isn’t limited to just Google’s predefined tours. Talking Tours can also generate commentary on what’s around you. To do this, the app will give you the option to take a 360-degree panorama that allows the AI to analyze the scene. Then, the “virtual tourist guide” will offer you helpful feedback on what’s in the scene.
Works on Google’s Arts & Culture landmarks
Talking Tours isn’t compatible with just any location, though. You have to be in one of the 55 hotspots supported by virtual tours. However, it’s impressive that your phone can do the job without a tourist guide in one of those areas thanks to AI. According to Techradar, the feature still needs some polishing. But this is expected given that this is only the initial version.
Talking Tours is available as an experimental feature in the Arts & Culture app for both Android and iOS. You can also try it out on the web version of the service.
