GOOGLE has unveiled a bizarre new tool that lets users offload the task of booking appointments onto an AI robot.
The feature, called Ask for Me, essentially gathers information about the pricing and availability of certain businesses – so you don’t have to.
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While it is currently only available for calls to nail salons and car repair shops, its application could soon grow to include hundreds of different businesses.
“New experiment just launched on Search Labs – you can use AI to call businesses on your behalf to find out what they charge for a service & when it’s available, like an oil change ASAP from nearby mechanics,” Rose Yao, vice president of Search Product at Google, wrote on X.
“We’re testing right now with auto shops and nail salons, to see how AI can help you connect with businesses and get things done.
“Just opt-in & search something like “oil change near me” to try it out, and let us know what you think!”
As the feature is still in testing, Yao warned that its capacity is limited and therefore users may hit a waitlist.
Ask for Me uses the skeleton of an old Google feature called Duplex, an AI-powered system that booked appointments and made reservations for users.
To access Ask for Me, you will have to enable the feature on Google Search Labs – where people can try out early-stage features.
Once enabled, you might see an “Ask for Me” prompt when looking for local nail salons or auto shops in Search.
You will have to give the AI all the information it needs to make the booking.
Google will ask a series of questions, like whether you are looking to get an oil change, what kind of car you have, and when you want an appointment.
You’ll also have to enter your email address or phone number, where you’ll receive updates about your request.
Businesses then receive a call from Google’s AI – which might be confusing at first.
“Every call begins by announcing that it’s an automated system calling from Google on behalf of a user,” Google spokesperson Craig Ewer told The Verge.
Businesses can opt out of receiving the automated calls from their Google Business Profile settings – or by asking the Google AI not to call them once they’ve received a call.
There are also call quotas in place to ensure businesses aren’t bombarded by a slew of AI calls.
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