I'd let Gemini make calls for me, but I'm drawing the line at one kind of call

Google has unveiled a new feature within its Phone by Google app that allows users to delegate phone calls to the AI-powered Gemini assistant. Dubbed "Call for Me," this tool operates by dialing the specified number, guiding users through automated menus, and speaking on their behalf when a human picks up the call. The feature is currently being tested as an early preview, following its inclusion in the Phone by Google app beta version 239 released on September 21.

The AI assistant, codenamed "Hedwig," is designed to handle a range of tasks, from checking product availability at a hardware store to rescheduling a restaurant reservation. Gemini handles the call from the user's number, navigates through automated systems, and waits on hold if necessary. When a live person answers, the AI assistant informs them that an AI is making the call before proceeding with the request.

Users can access a live transcript and interject at any point, but the intention is to run the conversation without human intervention.

To utilize the feature, users need a US carrier SIM, access to the Phone by Google public beta, a paid Google AI subscription, and must be at least 18 years old. The service is limited to English and US-based calls. Google has been gradually integrating AI into phone functionalities over the past eight years, starting with stage demos like Duplex in 2018, which could book salon appointments.

While Duplex was later discontinued, Google retained the calling technology and incorporated it into other features such as Call Screen and Hold for Me.

Call for Me represents the culmination of these efforts, streamlining the calling process while maintaining a human touch. Despite the utility it offers, there is a lingering concern that delegating calls to an AI might further isolate users in their own digital silos. While the feature is currently in an early stage, Google's consistent introduction of AI-enhanced functionalities suggests this could become a valuable tool for many users, potentially reducing the number of calls that require human interaction.