Google Launches AI Business Calls & Gemini 2.5 Pro in AI Mode
▼ Summary
– Google is launching an AI-powered business-calling feature in the U.S. that contacts local businesses to gather pricing and availability details on behalf of users.
– The feature, tested since January, requires users to search for services (e.g., “pet groomers near me”) and select “Have AI check pricing” to receive automated responses.
– Google ensures transparency by having the AI identify itself as an automated system when calling businesses, addressing past backlash over human-like AI calls.
– Google is upgrading its AI Mode in Search with Gemini 2.5 Pro for subscribers, offering advanced reasoning and coding capabilities, alongside a new “Deep Search” feature for comprehensive research.
– Deep Search saves time by compiling detailed, cited reports for complex queries like job searches or financial decisions, part of Google’s broader AI enhancements to compete with rivals like ChatGPT.
Google has unveiled a major expansion of its AI-powered services, introducing automated business calls and upgrading its search capabilities with the powerful Gemini 2.5 Pro model. The new features aim to streamline how users gather information, whether booking local services or conducting complex research.
Starting in the U.S., the AI business-calling tool lets users avoid phone calls by having Google’s system contact nearby businesses for details like pricing and availability. For instance, searching for “pet groomers near me” now includes an option to “Have AI check pricing.” After answering a few questions, such as pet type and preferred service, the AI compiles responses from multiple businesses. Google emphasizes transparency, with calls beginning by identifying the system as automated. This follows past criticism over AI calls mimicking human speech, which led the company to clarify its robotic nature upfront.
Meanwhile, Google Search’s AI Mode is getting a significant boost with Gemini 2.5 Pro, available to Pro and Ultra subscribers. The upgraded model enhances reasoning, math, and coding tasks, offering deeper insights for complex queries. Users can manually select it from a dropdown menu within AI Mode.
Another standout addition is Deep Search, designed to save time on intensive research. By analyzing hundreds of sources and synthesizing data, it generates detailed, cited reports in minutes, ideal for academic projects, career planning, or major decisions like home purchases.
These updates reflect Google’s aggressive push to compete with rivals like Perplexity AI and ChatGPT. Recent enhancements include voice-based interactions and AI-driven shopping tools that display product visuals and recommendations. With higher usage limits for premium subscribers, the rollout signals Google’s commitment to integrating AI deeper into everyday search experiences.
(Source: TechCrunch)
