Google has introduced “Ask For Me,” an AI-powered phone assistant designed to make calls on behalf of users, allowing them to schedule appointments and request quotes without direct human interaction. This innovation, available through Google Search Labs, is currently being tested with auto repair shops and nail salons in the U.S.
The big question for small business owners: Is this a breakthrough that simplifies customer interactions, or could it disrupt the way businesses engage with their clients? Lets dive in.
What Is “Ask For Me”?
“Ask For Me” expands on Google’s previous AI initiative, Google Duplex, which launched in 2018 to make restaurant reservations and book appointments through natural-sounding AI calls. This new feature enhances the concept, focusing on service-based businesses where quotes and bookings are crucial.
How Well Does it Work?
Well, that depends on who you ask. From a technical perspective, it works very well! You can have an ai that can call and schedule your appointments for you. The person on the other end may or may not be able to tell how lazy you are because you used an ai dialing service to schedule an appointment.
Bottom Line
Will this invention help business owners make more money? Probably not. Perhaps it can help you buy your time back and make some phone calls on your behalf. After all, Google desperately wants us to have less personal interaction anyway.
One thing is guaranteed. Google will generate more revenue and harvest more of your personal data for the sole reason of helping you improve your experience with their products…and no other reason than that. That being said, if they develop the application to allow us to call government agencies on our behalf, I’m all for it.
