Preface

On Wednesday, Google announced the expansion of a new AI-powered business calling feature for users across the United States. This development aims to simplify interactions with local businesses by utilizing AI to gather information about availability and pricing without human intervention. Simultaneously, Google is upgrading its Search AI Mode by integrating the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, which brings advanced capabilities to the feature. These innovations underscore Google’s commitment to enhancing the user experience by simplifying data acquisition and improving decision-making processes.

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The new AI business calling feature automates inquiries to local businesses, while Gemini 2.5 Pro enhances AI Mode’s problem-solving abilities in Google Search for subscribers. Key highlights of Google's recent upgrades include improved reasoning and multi-part question handling within the AI Mode.

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Google's latest AI-driven feature is a significant move towards streamlining business communications for everyday users. By enabling an AI system to contact businesses on their behalf, Google is offering a new level of convenience. Users no longer need to make phone calls themselves to check for service availability or pricing. This feature has been in the testing phase since January, available to users participating in Google's Search Labs experiments. To utilize this feature, users search for a query like “pet groomers near me” and use the new option labeled “Have AI check pricing.” The system requires users to input details such as the type of pet, services needed, and preferred timing, after which it generates relevant information from local service providers.

While innovative, this feature's approach brings up ethical discussions reminiscent of past critiques when Google previously rolled out similar technology. Concerns were raised about the AI mimicking human speech, potentially misleading businesses into believing they were speaking to a real person. Responding to such feedback, Google has ensured that the AI system properly identifies itself as such during calls, clarifying its automated status.

In addition to this business calling tool, Google is amplifying its AI Mode within Google Search. The introduction of the Gemini 2.5 Pro model enhances the system's proficiency in reasoning, math, and coding. Subscribers to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra can benefit from these advanced capabilities which allow more complex queries to be efficiently processed. This update lets users benefit from a sophisticated level of interaction with the AI interface, including the resolution of multi-part questions.

Moreover, Google has introduced a “Deep Search” feature into AI Mode, aimed at saving significant time for tasks that involve extensive research. By compiling data from numerous sources into a concise, comprehensive report, it supports users in pursuits related to their careers, education, or substantial life decisions such as financial assessments or major purchases. This feature reflects Google's ongoing strategy to compete with services like Perplexity AI and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

The continuous improvement of AI Mode highlights Google’s endeavor to maintain its lead in AI development and digital assistance. Recent additions, like AI-driven shopping experiences and voice conversations in AI Mode, illustrate Google’s focus on delivering more intuitive and information-rich results tailored to user needs.

Key Insights Table