Imagine needing an oil change or a nail appointment, but instead of calling the business yourself, an AI does it for you. That’s exactly what Google’s new experimental feature, Ask for Me, is designed to do. Currently being tested through Google Search Labs, this AI-powered tool can call nail salons and auto shops on your behalf, gather pricing and availability details, and even book appointments.
How ‘Ask for Me’ Works
Once you enable the experiment in Google Search Labs, you might see an “Ask for Me” prompt when searching for local nail salons or auto repair shops. Here’s how it functions:
- Google will prompt you with relevant questions—such as whether you need an oil change or a tire rotation and what kind of car you own.
- You enter your email address or phone number, where Google will send updates about your request.
- The AI will then call the business, gather the required details, and relay them back to you.
The feature is powered by Google Duplex, an AI system first introduced in 2018 that can make phone calls for reservations and appointment bookings.
How Businesses Can Opt Out
Since AI-generated calls might be confusing for business owners, Google has built safeguards into the system:
- Every call begins with an automated announcement, stating that Google is calling on behalf of a user.
- Businesses can opt out from receiving these calls via their Google Business Profile settings or by requesting Google not to contact them during a call.
- Google has implemented call quotas to prevent businesses from being overwhelmed by frequent AI calls.
The Future of AI-Powered Calls
While ‘Ask for Me’ is currently limited to auto shops and nail salons, it’s easy to imagine Google expanding this AI assistant to restaurants, doctors’ offices, and other service providers. However, as we saw with Google Duplex, AI-driven calls can sometimes lead to confusion and mixed reactions from businesses.
If Google successfully refines the feature, it could revolutionize how we interact with businesses, making booking and inquiries more seamless than ever. Would you trust an AI to make your calls for you? 🚀
