Truecaller to let users create an AI version of their voice to answer calls
Popular caller ID and spam protection app, Truecaller is introducing a new feature that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize the call answering experience. This innovative feature allows users to create a digital replica of their voice, which can then be used to greet callers and potentially even screen calls on their behalf.
Partnering with Microsoft's Azure AI Speech technology, Truecaller leverages machine learning to analyze a short voice recording provided by the user. This recording is then used to create a synthetic voice that closely resembles the user's natural voice. Users can then customize the greeting delivered by the AI voice, ensuring it communicates that the call is being answered by a digital assistant.
Traditionally, Truecaller has offered pre-recorded voice assistants with generic greetings. This new AI-powered feature adds a layer of personalization and potentially a touch of convenience. Users can choose to have their AI voice answer calls entirely, eliminating the need to pick up the phone themselves, or leverage it for initial screening purposes.
“This groundbreaking capability not only adds a touch of familiarity and comfort for the users but also showcases the power of AI in transforming the way we interact with our digital assistants,” says Truecaller product director and general manager Raphael Mimoun in the blog post.
However, there are some limitations to consider. Currently, the feature is only available to Truecaller's premium subscribers and is limited in functionality. The AI voice cannot yet hold complex conversations or engage in back-and-forth dialogue with callers. Additionally, Microsoft has implemented safeguards to prevent misuse of the generated voice. These include watermarks embedded in the synthetic audio and a code of conduct requiring user consent for recordings.
It remains to be seen how well this new AI-enabled feature will perform. While some users might welcome the convenience and potential for increased privacy when answering calls, others might find the experience impersonal or even deceptive.
