$ twilio update --episode1: Voice AI

$ twilio update --episode1: Voice AI

Welcome to the companion post for the first episode of $ twilio update, the bi-weekly show that takes you behind the scenes of the latest developments in the Twilio ecosystem. This blog post will include all the updates, links, and resources covered in the video. You can watch the episode right here, or follow us on Twilio Youtube to get the latest updates

--changelog

Here are a few updates on Twilio products:

Public beta of rich content for RCS on Twilio Messaging

Twilio has added the ability to send RCS messages though our content template builder, which is a way to add things like rich cards, media, and carousels into your RCS messages.

WhatsApp Self Sign-up now available to all direct customers

Twilio is making it straightforward to use WhatsApp messaging through Twilio with our rollout of WhatsApp Self Sign-up to all direct customers.

Verify WhatsApp to SMS fallback for OTP delivery

Verify will now always fall back from WhatsApp to SMS to ensure that your OTP, or one-time password, gets delivered.

Real-Time Transcripts & Voice Intelligence

Twilio can provide live transcriptions of voice calls with Voice Intelligence. Developers can now process speech in real time, enabling applications like live AI summaries, enhanced customer service, or flagging keywords in calls.

--runtime

Our main story this week is on the new Voice AI products at Twilio. In December we released ConversationRelay into public beta. ConversationRelay allows you to easily integrate your existing AI tools into your Twilio Voice applications. Check out our announcement blog post for more details.

We also recently added the Voice channel to Twilio AI Assistants! This allows you to create a customer aware AI agent in minutes and hook it up to all your communication channels: SMS/MMS, WhatsApp, Webchat, and now Voice. Read the blog post for all the juicy details, dive into the documentation for a step-by-step guide, or check out Noah Mogil’s sample retail demo to see it in action.

--build

This week we heard an expert from a conversation with Brandon Hawkins, who is working on ConversationRelay and AI Assistants here at Twilio. You can enjoy the whole conversation with Brandon on our AB Testing Stream Show.

--preview

Here is a quick rundown of some upcoming events we’re excited about here at Twilio:

• CDP Live: Building a Customer Centric Future
  • February 26th, 2025 @ 9:00 AM PST
• In-person at DevWorld in Amsterdam
  • Starting February 27th, 2025
• Transform Together: AI Startup Searchlight (two part series)
  • Unlocking New Possibilities in Customer Engagement: March 4th,2025 @ 9:00 AM PST
  • Innovating with AI for All: March 20th, 2025 @ 9:00 AM PST
• On Demand: Twilio Builder Lab: The Builder wears Twilio
• Weekly live streams on TwilioDevs Twitch
  • AB Testing with Alex & Bianca: Tuesdays, 11:00 AM PST
  • The Developer Lens with Brent & Chris: Thursdays, 11:00 AM PST

Throughout the month of February we are also launching our brand new LiftOff video series, which teaches you the basics of getting started with Twilio Messaging, Email, Voice, and User Identity & Authentication. You can check that out on Youtube, or join a live watch party on Fridays at 12:00 PM PST.

Alex is a Developer Evangelist at Twilio on the Ecosystem team based in Denver, Colorado, USA. He brings experience founding startups along with a master’s degree in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence to help startups build amazing customer experiences. Alex is a Scuba Instructor and has built a robotic submarine, giving him the rare title of Robot Scuba Instructor. Alex co-hosts AB Testing, a weekly livestream on Twilio Devs Twitch on Tuesdays at 2PM EST and the $ twilio update show on YouTube. When not on camera, you will find Alex doing Improv, reading sci-fi and fantasy, or chasing his toddler.