Abstract: An automatic information system is described which is connected for use to a user terminal. The automatic information system comprises a database (1), in which are stored subscriber data (TD) from a plurality of subscribers. At least part of the subscriber data (TD) in each case comprises the network address of a communication unit of the respective subscriber within a data network, In addition, the automatic information system comprises a search means (3) for searching for the desired subscriber on the basis of search parameters obtained from the user and a user dialog system (2) for control of the automatic information system by the user and/or for outputting to the user prompts and/or subscriber data (TD) relating to a subscriber found in the database (1). The user dialog system (2) comprises automatic speech recognition and an acoustic output device. In addition, a method is claimed for operating such an automatic information system.