Preparing for the Maps AI Era: Navigating the Future of Location-Based Businesses

The AI era is transforming how businesses connect with customers, especially in sectors like e-commerce, logistics, and connectivity.

With new technologies like Gemini’s Grounding and predictive intelligence, businesses have huge potential to adapt quickly and pull ahead of competitors. 

In this blog, we dive into how AI is reshaping location-based services, key shifts driving this change, and how 28East can help you navigate this new digital era. 

What Does the AI Era Mean for Location-Based Businesses? 

Google’s shift from search-based systems to agent-driven AI marks a major change for location-based businesses. 

Where businesses used to focus on SEO keywords to rank and help customers find them, the AI era introduces a more conversational way to answer complex questions. 

This shift means businesses must adapt by providing real-time, detailed data, such as inventory levels and delivery options, that AI agents can use to make recommendations.

If a business’s information isn’t accurate, up to date, and comprehensive, it risks becoming invisible to these agents, who are now responsible for guiding customers to the right products and services.

For location-based businesses in Africa, embracing AI-driven tools and optimising data is crucial to staying competitive in this new, agent-driven digital landscape.

Key Shifts in Location-Based Services 

1. Gemini’s Grounding for complex queries 

Gemini’s AI shift leverages Gemini-powered Grounding to answer natural-language queries.

Instead of searching for broad terms like “electronics store”, customers can now ask specific questions like “Where can I find a solar inverter near me that’s in stock and can be delivered today?”

This feature allows AI agents to verify their answers with real-time business data. If your inventory and service capabilities aren’t accessible and updated, AI agents won’t recommend your business to customers. 

2. Optimising routes with Predictive Intelligence

Predictive intelligence is revolutionising logistics, especially in South Africa, where the last mile can be complex and unpredictable. 

Google’s AI models now integrate data such as weather patterns and traffic events to optimise delivery routes in real-time. 

This capability allows businesses to proactively manage delivery delays and adjust routes, providing customers with more reliable service and improving operational efficiency.

In fact, connectivity providers are already partnering with Google Cloud to optimise their network performance and field service dispatch with the models.

Early reports indicate productivity improvements of up to 65% for technicians, making this a potential game-changer for the industry.

3. Hyper-local personalisation in AI Mode

With AI Mode, Google has introduced a level of personalisation that leverages local context from voice, text, and image inputs. 

This feature, which also includes real-time translations of regional languages, allows businesses to interact with customers in a hyper-localised and accessible way. 

E-commerce businesses can now reach and engage a broader audience by offering tailored experiences, regardless of literacy or language barriers.

The Leapfrog Effect: South Africa’s Advantage

Just as Africa leapfrogged landlines in favour of mobile phones, South Africa is set to bypass outdated data systems in favour of advanced, AI-driven solutions. 

With Google’s $1 billion investment in infrastructure, the country is ready to take advantage of cutting-edge tech.

By modernising public data infrastructure, Google provides access to high-quality, local datasets that help businesses create more context-aware, accurate applications for customers.

For South African businesses, embracing AI-powered tools means:

• Improved efficiency. 

• Better decision-making. 

• Expanding into new markets. 

This positions our country as a leader in the AI era, helping local companies gain a competitive edge in a rapidly expanding digital environment.

How 28East Helps Businesses Navigate the AI Transition

As businesses adopt AI-powered tools, 28East provides the expertise and support needed to make the transition seamless.

Our team offers specialised guidance to help businesses implement Google’s suite of AI tools, from integrating contextual views to using Grounding to power AI-driven chatbots. 

We also have in-depth knowledge of South Africa’s unique geospatial challenges, helping businesses adapt quickly and efficiently.

Partner with us to maximise Google Maps’ AI era and streamline your business processes. Get in touch to learn more today!