Google is once again pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence with its latest innovation: Ask for Me. This new AI-powered service is designed to contact businesses on behalf of users, gathering information about pricing, availability, and other inquiries—essentially redefining the concept of automated calls.
An Evolution of Duplex Technology
If you recall Duplex, Google’s AI-driven assistant that could make restaurant reservations using a remarkably human-like voice, you’ll notice strong similarities in Ask for Me. The difference? Instead of focusing on dining reservations, Ask for Me expands its capabilities to local businesses, starting with auto repair shops and nail salons.
How It Works
When users search for services like “oil change near me” or “nail salons nearby” on Google, they’ll see an option to use Ask for Me. The AI will then prompt users to specify what details they need—such as service costs or appointment availability. From there, Ask for Me makes the call, gathers the information, and sends back a summary, typically within 30 minutes.
According to Rose Yao, a Google product leader, the underlying technology powering Ask for Me is the same as Duplex, demonstrating how Google is leveraging its AI advancements to streamline everyday tasks.
Getting Started with Ask for Me
Currently, the service is in an experimental phase under Google Labs. To try it out, users must:
- Visit the Ask for Me website and join the waitlist.
- Once granted access, search for a business or service.
- Click on the Ask for Me feature and provide specific inquiry details.
- Submit contact details (phone or email) to receive a summary of the call.
Ask for Me is available on both desktop and mobile, but only through the Chrome browser and in select regions—excluding Europe due to regulatory restrictions.
What’s Next for AI-Powered Business Calls?
While Ask for Me clearly aims to save users time, its reception among businesses remains uncertain. Google confirms that businesses are informed they are speaking with an AI and have the option to decline such calls. However, how companies adapt to interacting with AI-driven inquiries remains to be seen.
With AI assistants becoming more human-like, Ask for Me represents yet another step toward a future where digital assistants handle even more daily tasks. Whether this is a welcome convenience or a step too far in automation is a debate that will unfold as adoption grows.
Would you use Ask for Me for your business inquiries? Let us know in the comments!
