Google tests Gemini feature that calls businesses

The “Call for Me” experiment starts with Pixel 11 users in the U.S. and lets Gemini handle calls while users watch live transcripts and step in.

Google is testing a new Gemini feature that can place calls to businesses on a user’s behalf. Called “Call for Me,” the experiment is designed for everyday tasks such as checking product availability, making reservations, moving appointments, or putting items on hold.

The test stands out because it gives Google’s AI calling tools a more active role than before. It also brings familiar concerns with it: privacy, user control, and whether AI can handle the messy, unpredictable nature of real phone conversations.

Gemini takes a more active role on calls

According to Google, the feature will let Gemini call a business, identify itself, work through automated phone menus, wait on hold, and continue the conversation once a person answers. Users will be able to follow the call through a live transcript.

Google says the AI can also share personal information, but only details the user approves in advance. As IT-PUB News notes, that makes the feature more than a simple script-reading tool. Gemini is being allowed to act with more context and flexibility during the call.

The company also says users will stay in control after the call begins. They can monitor it in real time and take over whenever they want. That makes “Call for Me” less of a fully autonomous assistant and more of a supervised tool for repetitive or inconvenient tasks.

Limited rollout begins with Pixel 11 users

Google is starting small. The feature will first be available to Pixel 11 owners in the U.S. who pay for a Gemini subscription. It will also require the beta version of Google’s Phone app for Android.

That matters because Google is treating “Call for Me” as an experiment, not a finished product. The company is not presenting it as a broad release for all Android users.

Google said it is moving carefully because “real-world conversations are nuanced.” The point is straightforward: phone calls with businesses can involve unexpected questions, changing details, and automated systems that do not always behave predictably.

Google builds on earlier AI calling tools

“Call for Me” is not Google’s first attempt at AI-assisted calling. The company has been working in this area for years.

Google previously drew attention at its I/O developer conference with a demonstration of Google Assistant calling a salon to make a reservation. That demo was remembered in part because the assistant used small speech fillers such as “umm” and “ahh” to sound more natural.

More recently, Google rolled out “Ask for Me,” which let Gemini call businesses to ask about pricing or services. Pixel smartphone owners also already have access to tools such as “Hold for Me,” which waits on hold until a real person comes to the line, “Talk to a Live Rep,” and “Direct My Call,” which shows the numbers needed to move through IVR systems.

The new experiment follows that same path, but it goes further by letting Gemini handle more of the interaction itself.

The test comes as AI agents take on more tasks

The timing also stands out because other AI agents are moving into similar territory. The source notes that AI agents such as Meta’s Muse and Instinct are now able to make calls on users’ behalf.

That helps explain why Google is testing “Call for Me” now. AI tools are no longer limited to answering questions or drafting text. They are increasingly being asked to act for people in everyday situations, including one of the most familiar — and often inconvenient — tasks: making a phone call.

For users, that could save time when they need to check stock, book a table, reschedule an appointment, or handle another routine request. For businesses, it could mean more incoming calls from AI systems trying to complete tasks for customers.

At the same time, the feature brings a broader tension around AI agents into sharper focus. The more capable they become, the more they rely on trust, clear permissions, and reliable handling of personal information. Google’s limited rollout suggests the company knows those issues are central.

Google frames it as an experiment, not a full release

Google is not claiming that “Call for Me” is ready for everyone. The company says it is starting on a small scale because it wants time to get the feature right before expanding it more widely.

That caution reflects the challenge of turning AI calling from a demo into a practical tool. A system that can navigate a phone menu or wait on hold is useful. A system that speaks on a user’s behalf has to deal with context, consent, and the risk of misunderstandings.

For now, Google is positioning Gemini as a helper that can take over parts of an annoying task while leaving the user in charge. The test is meant to show whether that balance holds up in real calls.