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Google’s ‘Ask for Me’ AI Can Now Call Local Businesses for You

31/1/25

By:

BR Hariyani

AI-Powered Calls Can Help You Schedule Appointments with Auto Shops and Nail Salons

AI-Powered Calls Can Help You Schedule Appointments with Auto Shops and Nail Salons

Introduction

Google is expanding its AI-driven assistance with a new feature called "Ask for Me," designed to make phone calls on your behalf. Currently available as an experiment in Google Search Labs, this tool automates calls to local businesses, starting with nail salons and auto shops.

With Google AI handling the conversation, users can ask about pricing, service availability, and schedule appointments—all without making the call themselves.

How 'Ask for Me' Works

The feature is integrated into Google Search and works as follows:

🔹 Enable It via Search Labs – Users must opt-in through Google Search Labs.🔹 Search for a Business – When looking up nail salons or auto repair shops, a prompt may appear.🔹 Answer Basic Questions – Google AI asks about services required, preferred date, and car details (for auto shops).🔹 Provide Contact Info – Users must enter an email or phone number for updates.🔹 Google Makes the Call – The AI calls the business, announces itself as an automated system, and collects relevant details.

Once complete, Google sends the user the collected information via email or message.



Powered by Google Duplex

🔹 Ask for Me is built on Google's Duplex AI, the same technology that previously made reservations and bookings for users.🔹 Duplex was known for its ability to mimic human speech, but it also faced ethical concerns over whether businesses knew they were speaking to an AI.🔹 This time, Google ensures transparency – every call starts with a message informing the recipient that an automated system is calling on behalf of a user.

Businesses Can Opt Out

🔹 Businesses can disable AI calls via their Google Business Profile settings.🔹 If a business receives an AI call, they can ask Google not to contact them again.🔹 Call quotas are in place to prevent spam calls to businesses.

While this feature could be helpful for users, it remains to be seen how businesses will react to AI-powered calls.

Potential Challenges & Future Expansion

While Ask for Me could simplify appointment booking, it may face challenges:

📌 Business Confusion – Some business owners might not expect AI calls and could hang up.📌 Limited Availability – Currently, the feature is restricted to auto shops and nail salons.📌 Privacy & Trust Issues – Users might wonder how their data is handled when AI interacts on their behalf.

As Google fine-tunes the technology, we could see expansion into restaurants, medical appointments, and other service industries.

Conclusion

Google’s "Ask for Me" is another step towards AI-driven automation, making it easier for users to schedule appointments without picking up the phone.

However, businesses might need time to adjust to AI calls, and privacy concerns will need to be addressed. If successful, this feature could redefine how consumers interact with local businesses in the future.

All images used in the articles published by Kushal Bharat Tech News are the property of Verge. We use these images under proper authorization and with full respect to the original copyright holders. Unauthorized use or reproduction of these images is strictly prohibited. For any inquiries or permissions related to the images, please contact Verge directly.

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