Airtel taps AI to combat India’s rampant spam calls problem
3 min read
India has a pressing issue with spam calls, causing annoyance and potential harm to millions. In an ambitious move, a major telecom operator is taking steps to tackle this menace.
The decision marks a significant stride in using advanced technology to enhance customer experience and ensure safety for phone users across the country.
The AI-Powered Solution
Bharti Airtel, one of India’s leading telecom providers, announced a new AI-driven spam detection system. This development promises to revolutionize the way spam is handled.
The AI system is designed to identify and filter out spam calls and messages in real-time. It will activate automatically for all Airtel customers at no extra cost.
Current State of Spam Calls in India
The situation with spam calls in India is severe. According to a LocalCircles survey, 95% of users receive unwanted calls daily. Most individuals get at least three annoying calls every day, making it a significant disturbance.
Official efforts like the ‘Do Not Disturb’ registry haven’t been very effective. Despite registering, 90% of users still face the relentless issue of spam calls.
Development and Deployment
Airtel spent 12 months developing this advanced system. The team’s ongoing efforts demonstrate their commitment to addressing spam issues.
Airtel’s data scientists have crafted a unique algorithm that examines caller behavior. It looks at patterns like call frequency and duration to detect spam. This mechanism is part of a dual-layer protection strategy, filtering communications both at the network and IT levels.
Performance and Capacity
The AI system handles a colossal volume of data. It processes around 1.5 billion messages and 2.5 billion calls each day. This amounts to about 1 trillion records in real-time, showcasing the system’s immense capacity.
Airtel reports that their AI can identify around 100 million potential spam calls and 3 million spam messages daily. This highlights the system’s efficiency and effectiveness in filtering out unwanted communication channels.
Additional Security Features
Besides call and message screening, Airtel’s AI scans SMS content for harmful links. It cross-references these links against a centralized blacklist of URLs, adding an extra layer of security.
This feature helps prevent users from clicking on suspicious links that could lead to fraud or phishing attacks. The system also identifies unusual behaviors like frequent IMEI changes, often linked to fraudulent activities.
Implications Beyond Annoyance
Spam calls in India are more than just a nuisance. They often involve scammers posing as government officials, delivery services, and credit providers.
Such fraudulent calls can lead to severe concerns, including identity theft and financial losses. Airtel’s proactive approach aims to mitigate these risks and protect users.
Leadership and Vision
Gopal Vittal, CEO of Bharti Airtel, shared insights into the company’s vision. “Spam has become a menace for customers,” he stated, emphasizing the urgent need for this innovative technology.
Airtel’s initiative is ambitious. It points toward a future where telecommunication is safer and more reliable, free from the frustrations of spam.
Beyond Immediate Benefits
The introduction of AI to combat spam calls reflects a broader trend in the telecom industry. Utilizing technology for better customer service is becoming increasingly important.
This endeavor is not just a short-term fix. It represents a long-term commitment to leveraging AI to enhance user experience in meaningful, impactful ways.
Airtel’s new AI-powered system offers a promising solution to India’s spam call problem through its innovative technologies and proactive security features.
This step reflects Airtel’s dedication to improving user experience and highlights the potential for AI to address complex challenges in the telecom industry.
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