{"id":1290196,"date":"2025-02-01T09:20:46","date_gmt":"2025-02-01T03:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trak.in\/stories\/?p=1290196"},"modified":"2025-02-05T16:09:32","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T10:39:32","slug":"googles-new-service-deploys-ai-to-call-local-businesses-for-users","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trak.in\/stories\/googles-new-service-deploys-ai-to-call-local-businesses-for-users\/","title":{"rendered":"Google’s New Service Deploys AI To Call Local Businesses For Users"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Imagine needing an oil change or a nail appointment, but instead of calling the business yourself, an AI does it for you. That\u2019s exactly what Google\u2019s new experimental feature, Ask for Me<\/strong>, is designed to do. Currently being tested through Google Search Labs<\/strong>, this AI-powered tool can call nail salons and auto shops<\/strong> on your behalf, gather pricing and availability details, and even book appointments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Google's<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How \u2018Ask for Me\u2019 Works<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Once you enable the experiment in Google Search Labs<\/strong>, you might see an \u201cAsk for Me\u201d<\/strong> prompt when searching for local nail salons or auto repair shops<\/strong>. Here\u2019s how it functions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Google will prompt you with relevant questions\u2014such as whether you need an oil change or a tire rotation<\/strong> and what kind of car you own.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. You enter your email address or phone number<\/strong>, where Google will send updates about your request.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The AI will then call the business, gather the required details, and relay them back to you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The feature is powered by Google Duplex<\/strong>, an AI system first introduced in 2018 that can make phone calls for reservations and appointment bookings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How Businesses Can Opt Out<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Since AI-generated calls might be confusing for business owners, Google has built<\/a> safeguards into the system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n