Google may soon enhance its call-screening feature within the Phone app with “AI Replies,” a new function that could generate responses based on the nature of the call. Recent findings by 9to5Google reveal code indicating that the app may soon be able to create “AI-powered smart replies” depending on how someone reacts when interacting with call screening.
The call-screening feature has been available since the release of Android 12, where it allowed users to filter incoming calls without needing to pick up the phone. Instead of answering, users can have Google Assistant respond on their behalf, prompting the caller to identify themselves through an automated audio message. Over time, this feature has evolved to improve user control over call filtering. Late last year, Google rolled out “contextual replies,” which use details from the caller’s purpose to generate tailored audio responses, making interactions with unknown callers more specific. In March, another update enabled responses even if the caller remains silent, ensuring more flexibility and coverage in screening unknown calls.
Now, it seems Google is planning to take call-screening capabilities a step further by employing artificial intelligence to better interpret why someone might be calling, which could allow the Phone app to offer even more precise replies. For instance, AI could potentially detect cues in the caller’s message or tone, generating responses that feel more personalized and relevant to the situation. This new direction could also reflect Google’s earlier mention of developing “multi-step, multi-turn conversational AI” for its products, a phrase it used to describe an approach aimed at handling more complex, interactive, and natural conversations. This kind of conversational AI could make call screening smoother and more intuitive, reducing the need for user intervention.
By leveraging AI for call screening, Google could provide an enhanced layer of convenience and security for users, especially as telemarketing and scam calls remain a persistent issue. While Google has not yet officially confirmed a release timeline for this feature, the development suggests that the company sees ongoing potential in making everyday digital interactions simpler and more efficient with AI-driven enhancements.