AI has already started replacing the jobs of voice agents. Now, companies are exploring ways to replace their existing computer-generated voice models with synthetic versions of human voices. Truecaller, a widely known caller ID service, is the latest to adopt this approach, announcing that its customers will be able to use an AI-powered assistant to answer calls with their own voice.
The new experience comes through a partnership with Microsoft, which gives the Swedish company access to the Redmond giant's Personal Voice technology, which was introduced in November as part of Azure AI Speech.
Microsoft's Personal Voice allows Truecaller's assistant, available to paid users, to replicate your voice to greet and respond to callers. This is in addition to the preset system-generated voice options available to users through the Digital Assistant feature, including the ability to answer calls, screen unknown calls, receive messages, answer on your behalf, and check back later. Useful for recording calls.
After consenting, Truecaller users must record a few seconds of script in their own voice and create a digital copy. This allows your assistant to answer calls with a digital version of your voice.
Typically, Truecaller's Assistant gives you the option to edit the introductory greeting template for callers, but Truecaller confirmed to TechCrunch that the greeting templates are limited when using a personal voice rather than a system-generated one. This is designed to make it clear that callers are hearing a “digital” version of the user's voice.
Nevertheless, follow-up responses can be customized based on user preferences. The personal voice feature in Azure AI Speech, available with limited registration-only access, adds a watermark to the speech output that is created to help detection tools identify synthetic speech.
“We believe that personal voice capabilities will revolutionize the way users manage their calls and improve their overall experience with Truecaller Assistant. We are partnering with Microsoft to deliver AI-powered voice technology. We look forward to further exploring its potential and delivering even more innovative solutions to our global user base,” said Raphael Mimoun, product director and general manager of Truecaller Israel, in a statement.
Truecaller Assistant's personal voice feature will be rolled out in the coming weeks, starting in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, India, Sweden, and Chile. The public beta will first be offered to his users, and then to all users in the target market.