Just months after pioneering an AI-powered spam detection system for domestic calls and SMSes, Bharti Airtel has announced a significant upgrade to its defense mechanism. In a move to combat the rising tide of spam originating from international networks, Airtel’s AI will now extend its vigilant gaze to overseas calls and text messages.
Furthermore, to better serve its diverse user base, these spam alerts will now be available in ten Indian languages.
Launched in September 2024, Airtel’s AI-driven spam detection system has already proven to be a formidable foe against unwanted communications within India. The system processes a staggering 1.5 billion messages and 2.5 billion calls daily, identifying and flagging suspicious activity in real-time.
This robust technology has reportedly identified over 27.5 billion spam calls since its inception, translating to an impressive 1,560 spam calls blocked every second. Airtel claims this has led to a 16% reduction in spam calls received by its users.
However, spammers are constantly evolving their tactics, and a noticeable increase in spam originating from international numbers has been observed. To counter this growing threat, Airtel has enhanced its AI capabilities to now screen and alert users about spam calls and SMSes originating from outside India. This expansion ensures a more comprehensive shield against unwanted and potentially fraudulent communications, regardless of their origin.
Recognizing India’s rich linguistic diversity, Airtel is also introducing spam alerts in ten Indian languages: Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Punjabi, and Urdu. This feature will initially be available to Android users, with plans for broader accessibility in the future. By delivering alerts in users’ preferred languages, Airtel aims to make these warnings more easily understandable and actionable, empowering customers to avoid potential scams and nuisances more effectively.
Siddharth Sharma, Director Marketing and CEO Connected Homes at Bharti Airtel, emphasized the customer-centric approach behind these upgrades, stating, “After carefully analysing customer feedback, we have enhanced our solutions to better serve the linguistic diversity of India. Additionally, with the growing volume of SPAM traffic shifting to foreign networks, we have decided to expand our AI-powered 1 tool to scan all SMS messages and phone calls originating from international numbers. Our dedicated team of engineers and data scientists will continue to refine and enhance our offerings, ensuring we stay ahead of any and all emerging threats.”
These new enhancements, like the initial spam detection system, will be automatically activated for all Airtel customers at no extra cost. Users will not need to download any additional applications or manually enable these features. The AI operates seamlessly in the background, providing a layer of security and convenience to Airtel’s vast subscriber base.
Airtel’s proactive approach to combating spam, now extending to international sources and incorporating regional languages, underscores its commitment to providing a safer and more user-friendly mobile experience. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, Airtel is taking significant strides in the ongoing battle against the ever-evolving tactics of spammers and fraudsters.
Summary:
- Airtel has upgraded its AI-powered spam detection system to include international calls and SMSes.
- Spam alerts will now be available in ten Indian languages for better user understanding.
- Since its launch in September 2024, Airtel’s AI has flagged over 27.5 billion spam calls.
- The enhanced features will be automatically activated for all Airtel customers free of charge.