Google could be about to combine two of its services as reports suggest the Android firm is working on a messaging app with a built-in AI assistant, Digital Spy reveals.

The project, brought to light by a Wall Street Journal report, sounds suspiciously like an amalgamation of Hangouts and Google Now.

It also sounds similar to Facebook's M, a virtual assistant that lives inside Messenger to help you carry out searches, make dinner plans, and more.

There is no word about whether Google plans to keep standalone Hangouts and Now apps running alongside the new service, or phase them out.

In other Google news, the web giant is rumoured to be joining forces with automaker Ford to further its ambitions in the self-driving car sector.

Reports suggest that the firm wants to eventually launch an Uber-like services based around autonomous vehicles.