Truecaller, the widely-used caller ID and spam-blocking app, has partnered with Microsoft to introduce a groundbreaking feature that allows users to replicate their own voices for answering calls. This groundbreaking collaboration leverages Microsoft’s Personal Voice technology, a recent addition to Azure AI Speech.
Truecaller’s AI Assistant, initially introduced in September 2022, already boasts an array of AI capabilities. It can automatically handle phone calls, screen incoming calls, take messages, respond on behalf of users, and even record conversations for later review. Now, with the integration of Microsoft Azure AI Speech’s Personal Voice, Truecaller users can create a digital version of their own voice within the app.
Previously, the AI Assistant relied on generic synthesized voices. With digital replicas, callers will now hear a familiar voice – the user’s own – when interacting with the Assistant.
Here’s how it works:
When setting up the Truecaller Assistant, users record a brief script in their own voice, granting consent to create a synthetic voice replica.
Once configured, the Assistant can answer calls using this personalized, lifelike voice. This feature not only adds familiarity and comfort for users but also demonstrates the transformative power of AI in reshaping our interactions with digital assistants.
Truecaller’s early access partnership with Microsoft for Personal Voice positions it as a pioneer in this space. A live demo of the feature was recently showcased at the Microsoft Build conference in Seattle, where attendees witnessed the seamless integration process. Users can now choose to have their callers hear an authentic version of their voice instead of relying on generic digital assistants.
Raphael Mimoun, Product Director & General Manager at Truecaller Israel, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “By integrating Microsoft Azure AI Speech’s personal voice capability into Truecaller, we’ve taken a significant step towards delivering a truly personalized and engaging communication experience. We look forward to further exploring the potential of AI-powered voice technologies in partnership with Microsoft and delivering even more innovative solutions to our global user base.”
Truecaller isn’t the only app exploring this frontier. Digital voice assistants like Alexa and Siri are also constantly evolving, and voice cloning technology is likely to play a bigger role in the future. However, Truecaller’s partnership with Microsoft marks a significant step forward, making this type of personalization available to a wider audience.
While the technology is promising, it’s important to consider potential privacy concerns. It’s unclear how Truecaller will store and use voice data collected during the replica creation process. Transparency on this front will be crucial for building user trust.
