Gemini may soon call friends and family with brief messages
Google may be preparing to expand Gemini’s “Call for Me” feature so it can place simple calls to friends and family, not just businesses. It matters because the feature could let users pass on quick messages by phone to people who miss texts or prefer calls.
Android Authority says an app teardown revealed a “Gemini Calling” introduction with examples such as telling someone you will be 15 minutes late or asking whether they are coming to dinner. The feature appears intended for brief, text-like messages rather than full conversations, and discovered app permissions may let users control Gemini’s access to calling features. Google has not confirmed the expansion or settings, and may not release them.
- Gemini may make brief calls to friends and family.
- Examples include passing on a late arrival.
- Google has not confirmed the feature will launch.
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Gemini is Google's artificial intelligence assistant. It currently offers a "Call for Me" feature that can place phone calls on your behalf, but this is limited to businesses such as restaurants and shops.
The expansion being considered would extend this to let the assistant ring friends and family to relay brief messages, such as letting someone know you will be late or asking whether they are coming to dinner. The feature would be designed for quick, simple messages rather than full conversations.
Such a capability could be valuable for people who prefer to receive information by phone call or are more likely to answer a ringing phone than read a message. Google has not confirmed these plans, and it remains unclear whether the technology will be released.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Advocates argue this feature represents useful technological progress for accessibility and efficiency. People with social anxiety, hearing difficulties, or busy schedules could benefit from delegating brief routine calls, whilst users would retain full control over whether and when to use the feature. The functionality merely automates communication the user already wishes to convey, similar to existing tools like voicemail or email, and transparency about the AI's involvement means no inherent deception need occur.
The case against
Sceptics raise substantive concerns about consent and trust. Recipients of calls have not agreed to speak with an AI system and would experience an intrusive, unexpected interaction without their prior permission. The feature creates vulnerability to misuse including impersonation, fraud, and harassment, potentially undermining confidence in telephone communication itself. Even if transparent, AI calls to personal contacts represent a departure from authentic human connection and introduce unnecessary friction into personal relationships based on efficiency rather than genuine necessity.
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Originally published by The Verge as “Gemini Call for Me might tell your mom you’re running late”.