Pixel's Call Screen Enhancements: Introducing Conversational Mode for Improved Call Filtering

As part of the unveiling of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones, Google has introduced exciting enhancements to its Call Screen feature. These upgrades are designed to help users easily filter which calls to answer and which to ignore. During the Made By Google Android event this morning, Google showcased a remarkable demonstration of its AI capabilities, illustrating how it can handle calls on behalf of users and engage in more human-like conversations to assess if a call requires your attention.

With the advanced AI technology, Google claims the new version of Call Screen enables Pixel owners to receive 50% fewer spam calls on average. This is achieved by employing a more natural-sounding voice to answer calls from unknown numbers. Importantly, the updated feature is now capable of distinguishing between calls you want to take and those you’d prefer to avoid.

In the demonstration, the Call Screen virtual assistant introduced itself and notified the caller that the call was being recorded for the recipient's benefit. This addresses a key criticism of previous AI features that mimicked human interaction without identifying themselves. Unlike those, Call Screen is transparent about being a bot, while still maintaining a warm and human-like tone.

When a spam caller announced, “Hi, you’ve won an all-expense paid trip to the Caribbean. Press 8 to claim your prize now,” the AI politely responded, “Unfortunately, the person you’re calling cannot take your call right now; have a nice day.”

In another scenario, when an airline representative called, Call Screen prompted them for a brief description of the purpose of their call. After the caller mentioned needing to discuss ticketing options, the AI efficiently stated, “Okay, let me try to connect you with the person you’re trying to reach.”

Additionally, Google noted that Call Screen will soon feature contextual replies, allowing users to respond quickly with a tap without the need to answer the call, such as confirming a doctor's appointment.

This next generation of Call Screen will also be compatible with the Pixel Watch when connected to a Tensor-enabled Pixel phone, and it will be available through a feature drop later this year.