Top AI News, Trending AI Tools, and Business Tips

Google's AI Now Calls Local Businesses For You With 'Ask for Me' Feature

Google has introduced a groundbreaking tool named "Ask for Me," designed to save users the hassle of making phone calls to local businesses. This feature, currently in testing, uses artificial intelligence to inquire about pricing and service availability on behalf of users.

At the moment, "Ask for Me" is tailored specifically for interactions with nail salons and auto shops. To utilize this feature, users need to opt into the experiment via Google Search Labs. Once enabled, searching for these businesses will prompt an "Ask for Me" option, leading to a series of questions about the desired service, such as the type of car or the specifics of a nail service, and preferred appointment times.

According to Google product lead Rose Yao, this feature leverages the same AI technology, Duplex, that has previously been used for making restaurant reservations and updating business information on Google Maps. This move by Google aims to streamline the process of gathering information directly from businesses without human interaction, potentially reshaping how we handle routine inquiries.

However, the feature is limited to these two sectors for now, with plans to expand to other business types based on user feedback and the success of this trial phase.

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Starting an AI Agency: The Premier Business Opportunity of 2025

In the rapidly evolving tech landscape of 2025, starting an AI agency has emerged as the most promising business venture for entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on the AI revolution. The year has seen an unprecedented demand for AI solutions across various industries, making AI agencies the go-to partners for businesses aiming to stay competitive.

The surge in AI adoption is fueled by the need for automation, data-driven decision-making, and personalized customer experiences. According to recent market analyses, the global AI market is expected to exceed $1.3 trillion by 2030, underscoring the vast potential for growth within this sector. This backdrop sets the stage for AI agencies to thrive.

AI agencies specialize in offering tailored solutions that range from automating mundane tasks to providing deep insights through predictive analytics. These services not only increase efficiency but also enable businesses to innovate at a pace that was previously unimaginable. From small startups to large enterprises, the demand spans all scales, with companies desperate for expertise in AI implementation that can transform their operations, marketing strategies, and customer interactions.

Entrepreneurs venturing into this business can start with minimal technical background by leveraging no code AI SaaS platforms allowing them to provide services without the need for in-depth development skills. This model has proven successful as thousands of agencies are reportedly making significant profits by reselling these advanced AI solutions.

Moreover, the business model of AI agencies is scalable. With automation at the core, from client acquisition to fulfillment and retention, as highlighted in discussions on X, agencies can handle more clients with less overhead, leading to high-profit margins. The focus is on automating client acquisition through AI-driven outreach, automating service delivery with bots and workflows, and enhancing customer retention with AI-powered support systems.

For those considering how to break into this field, guidance is plentiful. Resources like "How to Start an AI Agency With No Experience" from Extendly provide a roadmap for those with little to no background in AI, emphasizing partnership with technology providers, building a professional online presence, and offering pilot projects to showcase value.

The opportunity to start an AI agency is not just about tapping into a lucrative market but also about being at the forefront of a technological shift that promises to redefine business operations. As we move further into 2025, the narrative is clear: AI agencies are not just a trend but a fundamental part of the future of business, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth, innovation, and impact.

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Other Top AI News Today

1. Alibaba's Qwen2.5-Max AI Model: Alibaba announced the release of Qwen2.5-Max, an advanced AI model that reportedly outperforms several leading AI systems in key benchmarks. It's now available to developers through Alibaba Cloud services and can be accessed via Qwen Chat.

2. OpenAI’s AGI Roadmap: OpenAI has reportedly introduced an internal roadmap with five levels towards achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). This was confirmed by Sam Altman, indicating significant progress in their research and development.

3. NVIDIA's AI Research: NVIDIA's new AI research allows for the conversion of iPhone videos into detailed 3D structures, showcasing advancements in AI-driven video processing and 3D modeling.

4. Google DeepMind's Virtual Rat: Researchers at Google DeepMind developed an AI brain for a virtual rat, demonstrating new capabilities in biological simulation and AI behavior modeling.

5. SenseTime's SenseNova 5.5: Chinese AI company SenseTime revealed SenseNova 5.5, claiming it surpasses the performance of GPT-4o across various metrics, signaling intense competition in the AI model space from Chinese tech companies.

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• Voice to DeepSeek - use your voice with DeepSeek! Speak, and it’ll handle everything—fast, easy, and hassle-free!

Business Tip of the Day

Boost Your Google Maps Ranking with AI-Driven Review Management

In the digital age, visibility on Google Maps can significantly impact local businesses, driving foot traffic, boosting online engagement, and ultimately increasing sales. With Google Maps being a primary tool for consumers seeking local services, ranking higher can be a game-changer. Here's how integrating AI into your review management strategy can elevate your business's visibility on Google Maps in 2025:

The Power of Reviews on Google Maps

Google's algorithm for Maps heavily weighs customer reviews. Not only does the quantity of reviews matter, but the quality, recency, and the business's responsiveness to these reviews are also critical. Positive reviews can enhance your business's credibility and appeal, whereas even negative reviews, if handled well, can demonstrate your commitment to customer service.

Leveraging AI for Review Solicitation

• Automation and Personalization: AI tools like those from Semrush or other review management platforms can automate the process of asking for reviews. This isn't just about sending out generic requests; AI can analyze customer interactions to tailor messages based on their experience. For instance, after a customer completes a purchase or visit, AI can trigger a personalized request for a review, perhaps even suggesting what the customer might like to comment on based on their interaction.

• Timing is Everything: AI can determine the optimal time to ask for a review, increasing the likelihood of a response. By analyzing when customers are most likely to give feedback, AI ensures your requests are timely, enhancing the response rate.

AI in Review Response

• Real-Time Engagement: AI can help in drafting responses to reviews, allowing businesses to engage with customers in real-time or nearly so. This immediate acknowledgment of feedback, whether positive or negative, signals to Google that your business values customer interaction, which can positively impact your ranking.

• Sentiment Analysis: AI tools can analyze the sentiment of reviews, providing insights into customer satisfaction trends. This data can be used not just for responding but also for improving services, which in turn might lead to more positive reviews.

Strategic Review Management

• Encouraging Positive Reviews: AI can identify satisfied customers through purchase history, service feedback, or even sentiment analysis of past communications. Prompting these customers for reviews can lead to a higher volume of positive feedback.

• Handling Negative Reviews: When AI detects negative sentiment, it can suggest or even draft responses that show empathy, offer solutions, or invite the customer to discuss the issue further privately. This approach not only mitigates the impact of negative reviews but also showcases your business's proactive customer service stance.

Continuous Improvement

• Data-Driven Insights: AI doesn't just manage reviews; it learns from them. By analyzing review data, businesses can identify patterns or issues leading to negative feedback and act on them. This continuous loop of feedback and improvement can lead to better services, more positive reviews, and thus, better Google Maps rankings.

• SEO Benefits: While reviews directly affect Google Maps ranking, they also contribute to local SEO. Positive reviews often contain keywords beneficial for your business's SEO, making your listing more discoverable in both Maps and traditional Google Search.

Conclusion

Incorporating AI into your strategy for managing Google Maps reviews can transform how your business appears in local searches. By automating the review process, providing timely and personalized engagement, and leveraging the insights from customer feedback, your business can not only rank higher but also genuinely improve customer satisfaction. As we move through 2025, this AI-driven approach to review management will likely become a staple for any business aiming to dominate local search results.

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Darius @ SumoGrowth