Tired of answering spam calls and robocalls? AT&T might have the solution you've been waiting for. The carrier is testing a new AI-powered digital receptionist that actually talks to callers before they reach you, deciding whether the call is worth your time.
According to AT&T's recent announcement, this smart call screener works like having a personal secretary for your phone. When someone calls, the AI answers first and asks questions like "Who may I say is calling?" and "What is this about?" Based on the caller's responses, it either puts the call through to you or handles it automatically.
The system goes way beyond basic call blocking. If a caller won't identify themselves or seems suspicious, the AI can hang up or take a message. You can watch everything happen through a live text transcript on your phone and jump into the conversation anytime you want. Friends, family, and other trusted contacts can be added to a "Do Not Screen" list so their calls go straight through.
What makes AT&T's version different from similar features on smartphones is that it runs directly through the carrier's network. That means no app downloads, no battery drain, and it works even when your phone has poor signal or is completely offline.
The digital receptionist uses AT&T's years of experience fighting spam calls – the company already blocks over 2 billion robocalls monthly – combined with advanced AI that can detect fraud patterns in real-time conversations. It can even handle simple tasks like taking messages or scheduling delivery windows without bothering you.
AT&T is rolling out this feature to select customers throughout 2025 as part of ongoing tests. The carrier hasn't announced pricing or when it might become available to all customers, but it represents one of the first times a major wireless provider has built this type of AI directly into their network infrastructure.
For customers drowning in spam calls, this could be a game-changer. Instead of your phone ringing constantly with robocalls, you'd only get interrupted by calls that actually matter to you.
