A new partnership means that Truecaller’s AI Assistant can use Microsoft Azure AI Speech technology to enable Truecaller to answer your phone (via the Truecaller app) using an authentic AI version of your voice.

Truecaller 

Truecaller is a mobile app, available on iOS and Android, that offers caller identification, call blocking, and spam filtering services. It also provides features like call recording, chat, and contact management. Truecaller is based in Stockholm and was founded in 2009 and is now believed to have over 383 million users globally.

Microsoft’s Speech Technology – Answers In Your Voice 

The Microsoft Azure AI Speech technology (that as part of the new partnership enables Truecaller to answer the phone using an AI version of the user’s voice) is Microsoft’s ‘Personal Voice’. Launched in November 2023 and updating the existing ‘Custom neural voice’, the new ‘Personal Voice’ feature means that paid users of Truecaller’s Assistant (AI) “can get AI replicating their voice in a few seconds by providing a 1-minute speech sample as the audio prompt, and then use it to generate speech in any of the 100 languages supported”. 

Integrated With The Truecaller Assistant – How It Works 

Microsoft describes how ‘Personal Voice’ works when integrated with Truecaller’s Assistant, saying: “The Truecaller Assistant answers users’ calls and asks questions for the users, detecting spam and letting the users know if the call is worth answering.” 

Truecaller’s Product Director & General Manager, Raphael Mimoun, explains that “The personal voice feature allows our users to use their own voice, enabling the digital assistant to sound just like them when handling incoming calls.”

Why? 

Truecaller says being able to use an AI version of the user’s voice “adds a touch of familiarity and comfort for the user”, and Microsoft says it “provides a fully personalised voice experience” and it will “will revolutionise the way our users manage their calls and elevate their overall experience with Truecaller Assistant”. 

Limitations 

It’s been reported that although Truecaller’s Assistant usually gives the option to edit the introductory greeting template for callers, this option will be restricted if users opt for their personal voice instead of a system-generated one. That said, it’s understood that follow-up responses can be customised, based on user preferences.

Introduced in China Too 

Microsoft’s Personal Voice feature was developed with Haier, a leading IoT Smart Living brand in China, and the new Personal Voice feature has now been added to Haier’s service so that its users can create AI versions of their family’s voices to control and use home appliances via intelligent speakers.

Truecaller – More In Future 

Truecaller has indicated that it intends to work with Microsoft in future to enhance its products with AI. For example, Truecaller’s Raphael Mimoun said: “We look forward to further exploring the potential of AI-powered voice technologies in partnership with Microsoft and delivering even more innovative solutions to our global user base.”   

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

The collaboration between Truecaller and Microsoft to integrate Azure AI Speech technology into Truecaller’s app can be seen as a significant advancement in AI-driven customer interaction tools. For Truecaller, this partnership enhances its service offering by leveraging cutting-edge AI to create a more personalised and seamless experience for users. The ability to replicate a user’s voice with AI not only adds a unique touch of familiarity but also sets Truecaller apart from its competitors in the call management and spam detection market. This innovation also aligns with Truecaller’s commitment towards continually improving its user experience and expanding its global reach.

For Microsoft, this partnership underscores the versatility and power of its Azure AI Speech technology. By enabling Truecaller to offer AI-generated voice capabilities, Microsoft showcases its ability to provide scalable, advanced AI solutions that can be integrated into various applications. This collaboration not only strengthens Microsoft’s position in the AI market but also opens up new avenues for the deployment of its technology across different industries and usage cases.

For businesses using Truecaller, the integration of AI-generated personal voices could transform how they manage incoming calls. For example, this technology allows for a more efficient and personalised customer interaction, potentially reducing the burden on customer service teams and improving the overall customer experience. By ensuring that calls are answered in a familiar voice, businesses can also maintain a personal touch, even when calls are handled by an AI. Also, the continued partnership between Truecaller and Microsoft hints at the possibility of even more sophisticated AI-driven features in the future, which could further streamline communication processes and enhance business operations.

Looking ahead, the potential for further AI integrations is vast. Businesses might see developments such as AI-driven analytics providing deeper insights into call patterns and customer behaviour, or enhanced automation features that could seamlessly integrate with other business systems. The ongoing advancements in AI technology promise to bring about more intelligent and adaptive solutions, helping businesses stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. As Truecaller and Microsoft continue to innovate, businesses can look forward to leveraging these technologies to enhance efficiency, improve customer engagement, and drive growth.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (DMCC) which becomes law later this year (autumn) and is aimed at promoting fair competition, regulating digital markets, and protecting consumer rights in the UK, may mean that Apple will need to open up its business practices.

Similar to being a ‘gatekeeper’, for example, if the CMA’s Digital Markets Unit (DMU) decides Apple has a ‘Strategic Market Status’ (SMS) and decides that Apple has “substantial and entrenched market power” and a “position of strategic significance”, Apple may be forced to change its business practices to enhance competition and consumer choice.

This could involve measures like allowing third-party app stores, enabling app sideloading, unbundling WebKit from browsers, sharing data with competitors, and avoiding preferential treatment of its own services. However, some commentators have suggested that if strict regulations hurt Apple’s business, it could impact the 4.8 million jobs supported by the iOS app economy in the US and Europe.

A political consultant who paid a local street magician $150 to make a deepfake anti-Biden robocall, asking people not to vote in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, is now facing $6 million fine.

It’s been alleged that Steven Kramer, 54, of New Orleans, commissioned and paid for the bogus Biden AI deepfake voice call, used ID spoofing to hide the source, and hired a telemarketing firm to play fake recording to 5,000+ voters over the phone.

Mr Kramer now faces felony charges of voter suppression and misdemeanor impersonation of a candidate and faces the multi-million dollar fine from the US Federal Communication Commission (FCC) for the bogus call. This is likely to send a powerful message to those looking to misuse AI deepfakes in this year’s US presidential election.

Finish company Enifer is bringing back a protein made from fungus (a microprotein) that was first developed and used in the 1970s for animal feed but could now work as a sustainable protein source for the human diet.

Pekilo ® 

Enifer’s Pekilo ® microprotein was developed from fungus in the 70s and used for fifteen years in farming as fodder before being forgotten after the general biorefining focus at the time shifted to waste-water treatment, and the engineering company that developed it also went bankrupt.

Fast forward to 2020 and thanks to the memory of one of the original R&D workers, and the rediscovery of an R&D project, startup Enifer was formed out of the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland with five co-founders, Simo Ellilä being the CEO.

Factory Funding 

Enifer has now secured €33 million of Series B funding for the world’s first commercial factory to produce the mycoprotein ingredient from the food industry side stream raw materials at Kirkkonummi, Finland.

What Is Pekilo® And What’s So Good About It? 

Pekilo® is a single-cell protein (SCP) produced through a fermentation process using the biomass of fungi. It is produced from industrial side streams (i.e. waste products from other industries) such as lactose from the dairy industry and lignocellulosic hydrolysates (by-products of processes such as wood and paper production).

Pekilo® has many advantages, such as:

– It offers sustainable production. Being produced from industrial side streams means it’s a sustainable and environmentally friendly source of protein. For example, the process utilises waste materials, reducing overall waste and promoting circular economy principles.

– Pekilo® has a high protein content, typically ranging between 60-70 per cent. This makes it an excellent source of protein for both human consumption or animal feed. Enifer says, for example, it’s “an ideal drop-in ingredient for aquafeed, pet food, and food production”. 

– In addition to the high protein content, Pekilo® also has a generally high nutritional value. For example, it contains essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals necessary for animal growth and health, which is why it is a comprehensive dietary supplement/drop-in ingredient.

– Pekilo® has a lower environmental impact compared twith traditional protein sources like soy or fishmeal. It also requires less land and water and generates lower greenhouse gas emissions.

– The product can be manufactured to have consistent quality in terms of protein content and nutritional profile, which is crucial for feed formulation and ensures reliable nutrition for livestock.

– The fermentation process for producing Pekilo® is relatively fast, meaning this can facilitate rapid production and scalability. This can meet the growing world demand for protein in a sustainable manner.

– It’s antibiotic-free, which means a reduced risk of antibiotic resistance and a cleaner product for animal feed.

– Pekilo® is economically viable because it utilises industrial by-products for its production. This can lower feed costs, enhance economic viability for producers, and make it an attractive alternative to conventional protein sources.

– The fact that it can be used in various feed applications, including aquaculture, poultry, and pigs, makes it a very versatile and flexible component in animal nutrition.

– Pekilo® has long shelf life due to its drying process, which removes moisture and prevents spoilage. Proper packaging and storage in cool, dry conditions further preserve its nutritional value, making it a reliable and stable feed ingredient over extended periods.

– Its neutral flavour (the food grade version) means it’s suitable for a wide range of human foods, Savoury or sweet. Although currently the feed-grade version apparently has a distinctive taste, Enifer is working on making the flavour more neutral. This means it will be more versatile in feed formulations, more acceptable to various animal species and will ensure better feed intake.

Regulatory Clearance Needed First 

Although the product sounds very promising, the food-grade human version will first need to get regulatory clearance as a novel food before being added to any foods for human consumption. It’s understood that Enifer has so far applied to regulators in the EU, with plans to target Singapore and the US next.

What Does This Mean For Your Organisation? 

The introduction of Enifer’s Pekilo® could be a significant advancement in sustainable protein production. For example, it could offer substantial benefits for UK businesses looking to align with environmental goals and meet growing global protein demand. Using industrial side streams to produce this microprotein not only reduces waste but also promotes a circular economy, making it an eco-friendly choice that could revolutionise the protein industry.

For companies in the food and feed sectors, Pekilo® offers a high-protein, nutritionally rich ingredient that can enhance the quality of animal feed while significantly lowering the environmental impact compared to traditional protein sources like soy and fishmeal. Its consistent quality and rapid production capabilities mean it could reliably meet the increasing demand for protein in a scalable and sustainable manner.

Also, Pekilo®’s long shelf life and neutral flavour mean it could be a versatile ingredient for various applications, including aquaculture, poultry, pig food, and potentially human foods. As consumer awareness and demand for sustainable and plant-based proteins grow, incorporating Pekilo® into product lines could help food businesses to position themselves at the forefront of this market shift. It could also help facilitate the transition towards more plant-based diets, thereby reducing reliance on meat and the associated environmental footprint.

Although regulatory clearance is still required for human consumption, the prospects for Pekilo® seem promising. As Enifer progresses through the necessary approvals, early adoption and integration of this sustainable protein source may offer a competitive edge. Businesses that embrace Pekilo® may not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also appeal to a growing segment of eco-conscious consumers, ultimately driving long-term growth and success in a rapidly evolving market.

By integrating Pekilo® into business operations, food-based businesses may not only investing in a sustainable future but may also help address the urgent need for environmentally friendly protein alternatives. In addition to enhancing a brand’s reputation, incorporating this or similar ingredients could be a way for food businesses to meet consumer demand for sustainable products, and play a crucial role in the global shift towards a more sustainable food system.

This video-update looks at how you can invite ChatGPT to a Zoom meeting. In this case, it talks about LinkedIn …

Dynamic Lock uses the proximity of your Bluetooth-paired phone to automatically lock your Windows PC when you step away. This helps enhance security by ensuring your device is locked when you’re not around. Here’s how to set it up:

– Pair your Bluetooth-enabled phone with your PC.

– Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

– Scroll down to the Dynamic lock section and check the box for Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you’re away.

– Windows will use the signal strength of your paired phone to determine when to lock your PC, adding an extra layer of security.