Need to check a local shop’s prices or availability? Normally, you’d have to call. But now, Google’s search engine can do it for you by harnessing AI to place the call and retrieve the information.

On Wednesday, the company announced it was adding the “AI-powered calling” feature directly into Google Search by featuring it as an option through the search results. 

“From pet grooming to dry cleaning needs, Search can now call businesses to get pricing and availability information on your behalf — without you needing to pick up the phone,” the tech giant said. 

The company actually debuted the capability as Duplex back in 2018 for Google Assistant. It's now bringing the feature to Search as a button called “Have AI check pricing” when you query for a certain business service around you. If you click the button, Google’s AI can not only call one local business, but several, and compare the results, giving you a comprehensive list covering pricing and availability, depending on your request. 

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In addition, Google’s AI can call restaurants about wait times for a table. The goal is to help consumers save energy and time while “creating new opportunities for businesses to easily book customers.” “This capability is now starting to roll out to all Search users in the US, with higher limits for Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers,” the company added. 

Despite the benefit to users, the technology might become a nuisance for businesses, especially if they’re bombarded with Google AI calls. However, the company has created a support page, which includes information on how businesses can opt out by going to their Google Business page.  

The support page also notes: “When you get a phone call from Google, you can tell us that you don't want to receive any more calls. For example, you can say: ‘Please remove my business from your list.’”

In the past, some businesses have reported positive interactions with Google’s phone calling AI, noting it sounded human while using easy-to-understand English in a polite manner. But in other cases, businesses have ignored the AI-powered calls since no caller ID appeared.  

In the meantime, Google says its AI will avoid calling businesses during late night and early morning hours. All the automated calls are recorded for “quality assurance.” The company’s support page also notes the feature is becoming available across the US except in five US states: Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska.