Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AT&T is testing an AI assistant that screens unknown calls and filters spam

Ken Metral

Ken Metral

— 2 min read
Cosmico - AT&T is testing an AI assistant that screens unknown calls and filters spam
Credit: AT&T, Inc.

AT&T is experimenting with a new AI-powered assistant designed to pick up your phone calls, screen them, and decide whether they deserve your attention. The mobile carrier is rolling the feature out to a select group of customers this year, describing it as a “digital receptionist” built directly into its network.

According to Andy Markus, AT&T’s chief data officer, the assistant is only scratching the surface of what it could do. “This is only the foundation of what it can do,” Markus told The Verge, noting that future iterations might go beyond call screening to handle tasks like making reservations or scheduling appointments—similar to the capabilities already seen in Google’s AI assistant.

How It Works

When you get a call from an unknown number, AT&T’s AI steps in first. The system asks the caller to identify themselves and explain the purpose of the call. From there, the AI determines whether to connect the call to you, send it to voicemail, or end the call altogether.

Decisions are based on a few factors:

  • Caller identity and behavior: The AI checks if the caller sounds human and whether their message conveys urgency.
  • Network data: AT&T uses information from its network—like your call history—to decide if the number is someone you interact with often.
  • Custom rules: You can create a “Do Not Screen” list to ensure calls from important but infrequent sources, such as your doctor or child’s school, always go through directly.

If you prefer to keep an eye on things, the AT&T app will let you view real-time transcripts of the conversation as the AI handles it. You can jump in at any time to take over the call or let the AI finish and provide a concise summary of what was discussed.

Cosmico - AT&T is testing an AI assistant that screens unknown calls and filters spam
Credit: AT&T, Inc.

How It Compares to Google and Apple

Google’s Call Screen feature relies on your phone’s contact list, plus a database of known spam numbers, to filter unwanted calls. It listens to what the caller says in real time to determine whether the call is likely spam. Apple’s system works in a similar way, leaning heavily on on-device features.

AT&T, however, says its edge comes from building the assistant directly into the carrier’s network. “Using the network, it understands the pattern that you as a consumer have,” Markus explained. “Based on what we understand through the network, if my brother calls, we see that I interact with my brother all the time. Of course, that call should go through.”

What’s Next

The AI receptionist is part of a broader push by AT&T to modernize customer protections and streamline how people interact with their phones. The carrier has already introduced features like alerts explaining why businesses are calling and new protections against SIM-swapping attacks.

If testing proves successful, the AI-powered call screener could become a standard feature for AT&T subscribers—giving users more control over which calls break through the noise, while offering a glimpse into a future where your phone does even more work on your behalf.

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