Google has unveiled a new AI-powered feature called “Ask For Me,” designed to make phone calls to businesses on behalf of users. This experimental tool aims to streamline the process of obtaining service prices and appointment availability, saving users time and effort. Instead of calling businesses themselves, users can rely on Google’s AI to gather essential information and present it conveniently within Search. This marks another step in Google’s efforts to integrate AI into everyday tasks, making interactions with local businesses smoother and more efficient.
The feature is currently in its early testing phase and is available through Google Search Labs. At this stage, it is being trialled with select businesses in the United States, focusing on auto repair shops and nail salons. Users who have opted into Search Labs can try out “Ask For Me” by searching for related queries, such as “oil change near me.” Once activated, the AI automatically places a call to the business, asks for details on pricing and availability, and then relays the gathered information back to the user in an easy-to-read format.
Businesses, however, are not obligated to participate. Google has implemented an opt-out option, allowing businesses to decline AI-generated calls if they prefer not to receive them. In addition, all AI-driven interactions are monitored for quality assurance, ensuring that the conversations meet expected standards. By giving businesses the ability to opt out and overseeing the AI’s performance, Google aims to balance automation with ethical considerations, preventing any potential misuse of the tool.
This new feature builds on Google’s existing Duplex technology, which was originally introduced to help users book restaurant reservations via Google Search and Maps. Duplex has since been expanded to update business details like store hours and holiday closures, ensuring that information remains accurate for customers. “Ask For Me” extends this functionality further, applying AI-driven calls to a broader range of services beyond dining reservations.
While the concept of AI-powered phone calls is not entirely new, Google’s implementation could significantly impact consumer-business interactions. For users, it removes the hassle of making multiple calls to check prices or book services, particularly for industries where online booking systems are limited. For businesses, it introduces a new way to receive inquiries and potential customers, though some may have concerns about automated calls replacing direct human interactions.
Google’s experiment comes at a time when AI is increasingly shaping how people search for and interact with information online. By automating simple tasks like requesting service quotes or checking appointment availability, “Ask For Me” could become an essential tool for busy individuals looking for quick answers. However, whether the feature will be fully rolled out remains to be seen, as Google will likely refine its performance based on feedback from both users and businesses.
As AI technology continues to evolve, tools like “Ask For Me” highlight the growing role of automation in daily life. While it offers clear benefits in terms of convenience and efficiency, its success will ultimately depend on user adoption, business cooperation, and Google’s ability to maintain transparency and trust. If widely accepted, this could pave the way for even more AI-driven interactions in the future, further integrating artificial intelligence into the way people engage with businesses.
Google has introduced a new AI-powered tool called “Ask For Me,” designed to assist users in making phone calls to local businesses. Instead of manually calling multiple establishments to gather information, users can rely on Google’s AI to handle the task for them. This feature aims to save time and simplify the process of obtaining service details.
With “Ask For Me,” Google’s AI can contact businesses on behalf of users to request price quotes and check appointment availability. This eliminates the need for individuals to make multiple calls themselves, providing a more efficient way to compare options before making a decision. By leveraging AI technology, Google hopes to streamline interactions between consumers and service providers.
The initial rollout of this feature is focused on auto repair shops and nail salons. Google is currently testing the tool with these industries as part of an early experiment. Depending on its success, the company may expand “Ask For Me” to include other types of businesses in the future, potentially broadening its usefulness across various service sectors.
As this tool is still in the experimental phase, users can access it through Google Search Labs, where Google frequently tests new features before wider deployment. Whether “Ask For Me” will become a permanent addition to Google’s services remains to be seen, but its introduction signals the company’s continued efforts to integrate AI into everyday tasks.
How “Ask For Me” Works
If you’re located in the United States, you can easily opt-in to the “Ask For Me” feature through a dedicated landing page, which has been designed specifically for this experiment. By signing up, you’ll be able to start using the AI-powered tool that makes calls to local businesses on your behalf. Once you’re part of the experiment, you can begin exploring the feature to simplify the process of obtaining quotes or scheduling appointments without having to pick up the phone yourself.
To get started with the tool, simply enter relevant queries into Google’s search bar, such as “oil change near me” or “nail salons nearby.” When you enter these types of queries, you’ll see the “Ask For Me” option pop up as part of your search results. This feature is specifically designed to make the process of reaching out to businesses more convenient, enabling the AI to collect important information for you.
After you’ve selected the “Ask For Me” option from your search results, a “Get Started” button will appear on your screen. Clicking on this will guide you to the next step, where you’ll be prompted to provide additional details about the service you are looking for. For example, if you are requesting an oil change, you’ll need to specify the type of service you’re interested in, such as a basic oil change or a more specific service. Similarly, for nail salons, you can provide further details like the type of nail treatment you’d like.
This additional information helps the AI accurately connect with businesses that can meet your needs. It also allows the AI to gather essential details like pricing, availability, and other services. By automating this process, Google aims to save users time and effort, allowing them to make more informed decisions with less hassle. Once the information is gathered, the tool will give you the necessary responses, saving you from having to call each business individually.
Pilot Program
The pilot program for Google’s new feature currently focuses on auto services and nail salons. This initial scope allows users to search for services like an oil change or to book a nail appointment, making it easier for those in need of these services to get the information they require.
Once a user enters their preferences, such as a specific type of oil change or a preferred time for a nail appointment, they can rely on Google’s technology to handle the calls. The system will automatically contact the relevant businesses, gather the required information like pricing and availability, and present it to the user.
This feature utilises the same advanced technology behind Google Duplex, which is the system that powers restaurant reservations and helps businesses keep their information up to date on Google Search and Google Maps. Duplex has been around for a while now, helping users make reservations at restaurants or checking store hours. With the integration of this tool, Google is aiming to improve the overall experience for consumers by reducing the time and effort required to get simple services done.
Opt-Out Option
The “Ask For Me” feature is currently still in its testing phase, meaning that it may not be accessible to all users just yet. Google is gradually rolling out this feature, so availability could be limited depending on the location and the business type.
Importantly, businesses also have the option to opt out of receiving these automated calls if they prefer not to participate in the experiment. This gives business owners the flexibility to decide whether or not they wish to engage with the new service.
For those businesses that choose to participate, Google will ensure they are informed about receiving automated calls through the system. This is to ensure transparency and allow businesses to prepare for the incoming interactions with the AI-powered service.
AI Data and Privacy Considerations
As with many other AI-driven tools, Google actively monitors and tracks how users engage with the “Ask For Me” feature. This includes collecting data on your feedback, queries, and overall interaction with the service, helping Google refine and improve the tool’s performance.
To ensure the quality of its AI-generated results, Google employs human reviewers who assess the responses provided by the system. This extra layer of oversight helps maintain the accuracy and usefulness of the service for users.
Additionally, all automated calls made through the tool are fully disclosed to the person on the other end of the line. This transparency ensures that recipients are aware they are interacting with an AI-powered system, aligning with Google’s commitment to ethical AI practices.
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