Voice communication company Hiya has launched its AI-powered call assistant, Hiya AI Phone, designed to screen calls, block scams, and simplify call management for busy professionals. Available on iPhone and Android, the app addresses the growing issue of robocalls and increasingly sophisticated threats like deepfake scams.
According to Hiya’s recent survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers, one in three Americans encountered a deepfake scam call in 2024, with 34% of those targeted losing an average of $7,200. On top of this, Americans spend an estimated 40 minutes each month screening spam calls.
Deepfakes are becoming so alarmingly real that one tricked a finance worker at a multinational firm into paying out $25 million to fraudsters. Using deepfake technology, the fraudsters posed as the company’s chief financial officer during a video conference, according to Hong Kong police.
Suspicious calls don’t stand a chance
Hiya AI Phone acts as a personal assistant, answering unknown calls and determining their purpose before connecting them. This process reduces interruptions by filtering out irrelevant or suspicious calls. The app’s AI continuously analyses audio in real time, detecting indicators of scams or AI-generated voices and issuing clear warnings to users.
In addition to screening and protection, the app offers automated note-taking. Calls are transcribed and summarised, making follow-ups easier and ensuring that key points aren’t overlooked. Summaries and transcripts remain private, encrypted, and accessible only on the user’s device.
Hiya CEO and founder Alex Algard said: “For years, phone apps have stagnated, offering little innovation since their introduction on smartphones. The launch of Hiya AI Phone changed that by introducing the first call assistant purpose-built to navigate today’s challenging call landscape—dominated by robocalls, spam, deepfake scams, and other interruptions. Mobile phones are the ideal platform for AI to make a meaningful impact, and transforming the call experience with a digital assistant that works seamlessly for you on your calls is the perfect starting point.”
Hiya AI Phone is free to download, with premium features available for $9.99 per month. A two-week trial provides access to the full feature set, allowing users to evaluate its benefits before subscribing.