David Bridges
If you find yourself avoiding tedious phone calls, Google has introduced an innovative AI solution designed just for you. This new feature, dubbed “Ask for Me,” was announced on Thursday as part of Google’s Search Labs initiative, showcasing the tech giant’s commitment to enhancing user experience through advanced technology.
This groundbreaking feature leverages artificial intelligence to make phone calls to local businesses on your behalf, inquiring about crucial details such as pricing and availability. Initially, the service is focused on specific businesses like nail salons and local mechanics for services such as oil changes and routine car maintenance. However, the options menu indicates that more types of businesses will be added in the near future, expanding the utility of this feature.
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As part of a broader trend in the AI industry, Google is increasingly focusing on creating agentic experiences—technology that can perform tasks on your behalf. This latest innovation in automating information-gathering phone calls is one of many developments from the company. Recently, Google has also unveiled the Gemini tool, which acts as a virtual research assistant, gathering relevant data from the web. Additionally, another experiment from Search Labs allows users to have AI stay on hold when calling customer service, enhancing convenience.
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The latest iteration of the Gemini model is now integrated with the newest Samsung Galaxy and Pixel phones, offering features that simplify tasks like gathering information, organizing calendar events, and sending messages seamlessly. This integration signifies how AI is becoming an essential tool in our daily lives, making routine tasks more manageable and efficient.
If you’re interested in trying out this feature, you can opt into Search Labs to test it. Keep in mind that by doing so, you’ll be sharing data with Google to enhance its AI capabilities. After enrollment, you can specify whether you’re seeking information about a nail salon or a mechanic, and follow a few simple steps to detail the services you need. Once you’ve provided all the necessary information, you can choose to receive a response via SMS or email, usually within a quick timeframe of up to 30 minutes. It’s designed to be incredibly user-friendly.
However, the experience for the recipient of these calls is different. When a call is made, the individual who answers will hear an automated message from Google AI, indicating that the call is on behalf of a user. If the recipient doesn’t hang up—an understandable reaction given the prevalence of spam calls—the AI will then proceed to ask about the pricing and availability of the services requested. The person on the other end can respond in a natural, conversational manner, and the AI is designed to understand and relay that information back to you.
During our testing, we received a response from Google 21 minutes later, which provided detailed pricing and availability for a manicure at a local nail salon. The Google AI also noted that it attempted to contact other salons but “couldn’t reach” them, possibly due to being busy or confused by the automated request. This showcases the potential and challenges of using AI in real-world scenarios as it becomes more integrated into our daily routines.
Topics
Artificial Intelligence
Google
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Daniel Mercer
Brandon Fletcher
