Hate answering calls? Your Pixel phones will soon respond on your behalf

If you’re one of those people who dread answering calls, Google’s Pixel phones are working on a solution. Soon, a feature called “AI Replies” may allow your Pixel phone to respond to calls on your behalf using advanced language models. Let’s break down what this means, how it works, and why it might be useful.
According to the 9to5 Google, with the new “AI Replies” feature, Google is taking Call Screen a step further. The latest beta version of Google’s Phone app shows hints that Google is developing AI-powered responses that can engage with callers even more intelligently. Here’s how it might work: if someone calls and your phone screens it, AI Replies would craft a response based on what the caller says. So, instead of choosing from a set list, you’d get an AI-generated reply that sounds like a more natural, human response to the caller’s message.
These responses would come from Google’s advanced language models, including the Gemini Nano model, which helps create natural-sounding text. While Call Screen’s current responses are limited to generic answers like “Can you say more?” or “Call me back later,” AI Replies could potentially handle more complex scenarios and provide a wider variety of responses.
Pixel phones already have a feature called Call Screen, which helps you manage incoming calls. This feature, which launched a few years ago, lets you screen calls from unknown numbers or unwanted callers, like telemarketers, with the help of Google Assistant. It essentially asks the caller why they’re calling, and you can see their response as text on your screen, allowing you to decide if you want to answer or not.
Over time, Call Screen has become smarter. In December of last year, Google introduced “contextual replies” to Call Screen. Now, if someone calls you to confirm an appointment, your Pixel phone may offer tailored responses like “Confirm” or “Cancel appointment,” so you don’t have to take the call yourself.
It’s worth noting that Google has built some safeguards around these AI Replies. Since they’re created by artificial intelligence, they could sometimes be inaccurate or miss the caller’s intent. To make sure users are aware of this, the Phone app includes a disclaimer that says, “This information is AI generated and could be inaccurate,” so users know it may not be perfect. If you decide to use AI Replies, you’ll also have to agree to Google’s terms for AI usage.
This feature won’t be automatic, though. Users will need to turn on AI Replies manually through a setting in the Phone app. For now, it’s just an experimental feature in the beta version, so there’s no guarantee that it will be officially released anytime soon.
The idea of AI-powered responses could be a game-changer for people who often feel overwhelmed by calls. With this feature, you wouldn’t need to interrupt what you’re doing to answer or reject calls. Plus, it could make call screening even more convenient by saving time and potentially reducing unwanted calls.
This is just one example of how Google is using AI to make everyday tasks easier and less intrusive, and it shows how even basic phone functions are evolving with technology. If AI Replies eventually rolls out, it could change how people interact with their phones—and maybe even make picking up the phone feel less of a chore.