Google is expanding its AI capabilities across its search platform, introducing an AI-powered business-calling feature and enhancing Google Search’s AI Mode with its Gemini 2.5 Pro model and a new “Deep Search” functionality.
The AI-powered business-calling feature automates information gathering from local businesses regarding availability and pricing. Users can initiate this by searching for local businesses, such as “pet groomers near me,” and selecting the “Have AI check pricing” option. The system then prompts users for specific details, like the type of pet, desired services, and preferred timing. Google states that every call made by this AI system will explicitly announce itself as “an automated system calling from Google on behalf of a user.” This transparency aims to address past concerns where a similar Google feature drew criticism for simulating human speech, prompting Google to commit to identifying its AI as such during calls. This new feature is now rolling out to all Search users in the United States, with Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers benefiting from higher usage limits.
Complementing this, Google is enhancing its AI Mode within Google Search by integrating the Gemini 2.5 Pro model for Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. This model, accessible via a drop-down menu in AI Mode, is touted for its advanced capabilities in reasoning, mathematics, and coding questions.
A significant new addition to AI Mode is the “Deep Search” feature. Google claims this innovation will save users considerable time by performing hundreds of searches and synthesizing diverse information into comprehensive, fully cited reports within minutes. Deep Search is positioned as a valuable tool for in-depth research across various domains, including professional work, hobbies, academic studies, or even significant life decisions such as purchasing a home or conducting financial analysis.
These enhancements are part of Google’s ongoing strategy to evolve AI Mode, which was launched earlier this year. The company has been steadily adding new functionalities, including the introduction of back-and-forth voice conversations with AI Mode last month and an AI-powered shopping experience in May, which provides product visuals and guidance based on product data. These developments underscore Google’s commitment to advancing its AI offerings and competing with other leading AI services like Perplexity AI and OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search.
