Google's AI Now Handles Phone Calls for You
Google has expanded its AI calling feature to all US users through Search, enabling customers to inquire about pricing and availability with local businesses without phone conversations. Initially tested in January, this capability currently supports service-oriented businesses including pet groomers, laundry services, and auto repair shops.
Searchers will notice a "Have AI check pricing" option appearing beneath eligible business listings. The AI interface will prompt users for service specifics - for pet grooming queries, it requests details like animal type, breed, and required services along with preferred contact method for updates.
Google's VP of Search Products Robby Stein explains that the system combines Gemini AI with Duplex technology to autonomously place calls. "Our AI assistant clearly identifies itself when contacting businesses," Stein notes, "streamlining information gathering so customers avoid time-consuming calls." After completing inquiries, the system delivers relevant details via users' preferred communication channel.
Business owners retain control through profile settings where they can disable AI call reception. While now widely available, Google's premium AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers benefit from enhanced usage limits for this feature.
Concurrently, Google is testing more advanced capabilities through its experimental Gemini 2.5 Pro model in AI Mode. Available to US subscribers enrolled in Labs experiments, this upgrade particularly enhances complex analytical tasks according to Stein. The standard AI Mode currently utilizes a customized Gemini 2.0 iteration by default.
Google is also evaluating integration of its Deep Search functionality with AI Mode, potentially enabling comprehensive automated research reports. "The system demonstrates multi-stage reasoning," Stein describes, "formulating follow-up queries to verify and enrich its responses." These advanced features remain exclusive to Google's premium AI subscribers participating in experimental programs.
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Google has expanded its AI calling feature to all US users through Search, enabling customers to inquire about pricing and availability with local businesses without phone conversations. Initially tested in January, this capability currently supports service-oriented businesses including pet groomers, laundry services, and auto repair shops.
Searchers will notice a "Have AI check pricing" option appearing beneath eligible business listings. The AI interface will prompt users for service specifics - for pet grooming queries, it requests details like animal type, breed, and required services along with preferred contact method for updates.
Google's VP of Search Products Robby Stein explains that the system combines Gemini AI with Duplex technology to autonomously place calls. "Our AI assistant clearly identifies itself when contacting businesses," Stein notes, "streamlining information gathering so customers avoid time-consuming calls." After completing inquiries, the system delivers relevant details via users' preferred communication channel.
Business owners retain control through profile settings where they can disable AI call reception. While now widely available, Google's premium AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers benefit from enhanced usage limits for this feature.
Concurrently, Google is testing more advanced capabilities through its experimental Gemini 2.5 Pro model in AI Mode. Available to US subscribers enrolled in Labs experiments, this upgrade particularly enhances complex analytical tasks according to Stein. The standard AI Mode currently utilizes a customized Gemini 2.0 iteration by default.
Google is also evaluating integration of its Deep Search functionality with AI Mode, potentially enabling comprehensive automated research reports. "The system demonstrates multi-stage reasoning," Stein describes, "formulating follow-up queries to verify and enrich its responses." These advanced features remain exclusive to Google's premium AI subscribers participating in experimental programs.
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