Google Pixel’s Call Screening Feature Set to Get Smarter with AI-Driven Reply Suggestions

Key Takeaways

Google is enhancing the Pixel Phone app’s Call Screen feature by adding AI-generated reply suggestions.

These smart replies aim to help users by suggesting responses to screen incoming calls more effectively.

It’s still unknown how the new AI replies will differ from the current contextual options.

 

Google is making strides to enhance its Pixel Phone app with an AI-powered feature for Call Screen that offers reply suggestions tailored to each call. These smart replies will adjust based on the caller’s responses during screening, bringing a personal touch to the way users manage their incoming calls.

While exact details haven’t been fully revealed, this AI addition is expected to be more customized than what’s currently available. The hope is that users will find these new AI replies make call screening feel more fluid and personal.

Google’s AI Replies Aim for More Engaging Interactions

The buzz about this new feature began on November 7, when AssembleDebug, a prominent voice in the Google community, shared on X (formerly Twitter) that Google’s “Call assist” would soon offer AI-driven smart replies shaped by the caller’s responses during screening. With this change, Google promises a smoother, more intuitive way for users to filter and respond to calls.

Further digging by 9to5Google uncovered interesting hints within the Pixel’s Phone app code, showing references to “dobby_AI” and “dobby_LLM.” This discovery suggests Google might be using a powerful AI model to manage the new replies, advancing beyond the current “dobby” system that powers today’s Call Screen replies.

Since the launch of Call Screen with Android 12 in 2021, users have praised it as an excellent tool for filtering out spam and unwanted calls. Google Assistant acts as the go-between, asking callers to introduce themselves before the user even picks up, giving users control over who gets through.

Late in 2022, Google introduced “contextual replies,” making Call Screen smarter by analyzing each call to deliver suitable responses. By March 2023, Google pushed things further by allowing responses to silent callers, showing a clear commitment to evolving the feature.

Now, Google seems ready to take Call Screen to the next level. With the introduction of advanced AI, the feature could better understand each caller’s intentions, creating more relevant replies that fit each unique interaction.

This update could be a significant step forward, making call screening not only smarter but also more human-friendly, making it easier for Pixel users to stay in control of their calls.