Truecaller users, get ready for a more personalized experience when it comes to handling your phone calls. Truecaller, the popular app known for identifying and blocking spam calls, is joining forces with Microsoft to introduce a revolutionary feature: AI-powered voice assistants that sound exactly like you.

Here’s the gist: Truecaller’s AI Assistant, already adept at screening calls and informing you about the caller’s purpose, is taking a big leap forward. This feature, currently available only in select regions, will allow you to create a digital replica of your own voice. Partnering with Microsoft’s Azure AI Speech technology, Truecaller will give you the power to record a short voice sample. This magic tool will then use your recording to craft an AI version that mimics your unique tone and inflections.

“This groundbreaking capability,” says Raphael Mimoun, Truecaller’s product director and general manager, in a company blog post. “[It] 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.”

Traditionally, Truecaller’s AI Assistant offered a selection of generic voices to answer calls on your behalf. This new feature takes personalization to a whole new level. Imagine a scenario where you’re unavailable to answer a call. Your AI twin can step in, using your own voice to greet the caller and potentially explain your absence or offer to take a message.

It’s important to note that Microsoft’s Azure AI Speech technology, which powers this voice replication feature, is still under development. Access to this “personal voice” functionality is currently limited and reserved for specific applications, like Truecaller’s AI Assistant.

Microsoft, however, is taking responsible steps to ensure the ethical use of this technology. Their Azure AI Speech system automatically embeds watermarks within the generated voices. This allows developers and platforms like Truecaller to easily identify synthetic audio. Additionally, Microsoft has established a code of conduct that requires users to obtain explicit consent before recording someone’s voice, and strictly prohibits impersonation.

While the effectiveness of AI-generated voices compared to traditional voicemail messages remains to be seen, this collaboration between Truecaller and Microsoft paves the way for a future filled with more interactive and personalized communication experiences. So, the next time your phone rings, you might just be surprised by who (or rather, what) picks up the call!