OpenAI launches ChatGPT Maps to compete with Google Maps

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Maps, a new feature designed to compete with Google Maps by integrating local search and travel planning directly into its conversational interface. Available on the web and rolling out in the European Union, the tool allows users to use natural language to find restaurants, museums, and points of interest based on their location or specific prompts.

Unlike traditional search engines that rely on keywords, ChatGPT Maps interprets conversational requests to provide personalized recommendations. While Google still dominates the booking market with approximately 90% of operations, data suggests that traffic from ChatGPT to hotel websites converts at a rate five times higher than Google traffic due to the highly tailored nature of the AI's suggestions.

Currently, the tool functions as an inspirational assistant rather than a complete booking engine. While it can organize complex itineraries involving budgets, transport, and personal interests, the ability for the AI to complete transactions from start to finish is expected to take another one to two years to fully mature.