Truecaller and Microsoft will allow users to make an AI voice answer calls

Truecaller is an app that identifies and blocks spam calls that some people prefer over their phones’ default system. Now, the service will allow users to access its AI Assistant to record their voices. The company has partnered with Microsoft’s Azure AI Speech, which will learn from the recorded clip to generate an AI version of the user’s voice.

“This innovative capability not only adds a touch of familiarity and comfort for users, but also showcases the power of AI in transforming the way we interact with our digital assistants,” said Truecaller Chief Product Officer and General Manager Raphael Mimoun, in the blog post.

Truecaller’s AI Assistant monitors incoming calls and lets users know why they are calling. Customers can see the reason for the call and choose how to respond, whether by picking up the phone or asking the assistant to answer it for them. Assistant, available only in select countries, was first introduced in the Truecaller app in 2022.

Users have always been able to choose from a predefined number of voices to represent them, and the company says that allowing users to record their own voices is a step toward further personalizing the service.

Azure AI Speech, introduced during the Build conference, added a personal voice feature that allows people to record and replicate voices. Microsoft says in a blog postHowever, this personal voice is available on a limited basis and only for specific use cases, such as voice assistants.

Microsoft says it automatically adds watermarks to voices generated by Azure AI Speech Personal Voice. It also launched a code of Conduct require users to obtain the full consent of those being recorded and prohibit impersonation.

It remains to be seen how personal voice performs relative to your own voicemail message.