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Gemini AI Set to Make Google Maps a Conversational Travel Companion

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Google Maps is being reimagined with the help of Gemini, Google’s flagship artificial intelligence system, transforming the navigation app into a more conversational and interactive companion for drivers.

The new design, announced Wednesday, integrates Gemini’s generative AI to create a hands-free experience that allows users to ask for directions, recommendations, and insights naturally — as if speaking to a knowledgeable passenger. Instead of relying solely on distances and street names, the upgraded app will reference landmarks to make navigation more intuitive.

“No fumbling required — now you can just ask,” Google said in a blog post unveiling the redesign. The company emphasized that Gemini’s new conversational features will help users discover restaurants, shops, and attractions on the go while keeping their focus on the road.

Google said it has implemented safeguards to prevent AI “hallucinations” — instances where chatbots generate incorrect information — to ensure accurate and reliable guidance. The data powering Gemini’s responses will come from Google Maps’ extensive database of more than 250 million places built up over two decades of user reviews.

The AI-powered Maps update will roll out soon to both iPhone and Android devices, reaching Google’s global user base of over 2 billion people. By embedding Gemini directly into Maps, Google aims to demonstrate the real-world utility of its AI technology and strengthen its position against rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

This move continues Google’s broader AI transformation, which has already reshaped its search engine to prioritize conversational results over traditional web links.

Nvidia CEO Hopes to Sell Blackwell Chips in China but Says Decision Rests with Trump

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on Friday that he hopes the company’s latest Blackwell AI chips can eventually be sold in China, but acknowledged that the decision ultimately depends on U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking during his first official visit to South Korea in over a decade, Huang expressed optimism following recent talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping but said he was not briefed on their discussion details.

Trump told reporters after the meeting that semiconductors were discussed and that China “will be talking to Nvidia and others about taking chips,” but clarified, “We’re not talking about the Blackwell.”

Huang emphasized that restoring Nvidia’s presence in China would benefit both nations. “We’re always hoping to return to China. It’s in the best interest of the United States and of China,” he said.

Tensions over China’s access to Nvidia’s high-end chips remain a major flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. Washington has placed export restrictions on Nvidia’s most advanced AI processors to curb Beijing’s technological and military advancements. Huang has previously urged the Trump administration to relax those restrictions, arguing that Chinese reliance on U.S. hardware strengthens America’s influence.

Nvidia is developing a new chip for the Chinese market based on its Blackwell architecture that will comply with U.S. regulations but remain more capable than current export-approved models. However, Beijing has cooled toward Nvidia’s offerings, instead backing domestic alternatives like Huawei, which has recently announced plans to compete head-to-head with Nvidia in AI hardware.

Engaged Capital Pushes Cognex to Cut Costs, Says AI Firm’s Stock Could Double

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Activist investor Engaged Capital has taken a major stake in Cognex (CGNX.O) and is pressing the machine-vision systems maker to slash costs and hire cost consultants — a move it says could help the company’s share price nearly double within two years. Speaking at the 13D Monitor Active-Passive Investment Summit in New York, Engaged’s founder and chief investment officer Glenn Welling described Cognex as “an AI company without the AI valuation.”

Welling did not reveal the size of the stake but called it one of Engaged’s largest holdings. Regulatory filings show the hedge fund manages roughly $700 million in assets. Cognex, which develops smart cameras and barcode readers used by clients such as Amazon and BMW, has a market capitalization of $7.7 billion, though its stock has dropped 50% from its all-time high four years ago.

Now under new leadership — with CEO Matt Moschner and CFO Dennis Fehr — Engaged sees an opportunity for a turnaround. Welling argued that Cognex’s profit margins could rise from 17% to around 40% through tighter spending and sharper focus on high-return R&D projects. By comparison, competitor Keyence maintains margins above 50%.

Cognex has recently revamped some of its products, using artificial intelligence to make them easier to install and operate, opening access to a broader customer base. Welling said Engaged has already held constructive talks with Cognex management and connected them with cost optimization consultants who have worked successfully with other Engaged-backed companies.