Hyderabad Startup Equal Launches India’s First AI Call Assistant to Tackle Spam and Unknown Calls
The service, which will be available in early access from October 2 for the first 10,000 Android users in Delhi NCR, is designed to filter spam, coordinate with delivery agents, and handle telemarketing calls in English, Hindi, and Hinglish.
Hyderabad, September 30: Hyderabad-based tech start-up Equal has announced the launch of Equal AI, billed as India’s first AI-powered call assistant that answers unknown phone calls on behalf of users. The service, which will be available in early access from October 2 for the first 10,000 Android users in Delhi NCR, is designed to filter spam, coordinate with delivery agents, and handle telemarketing calls in English, Hindi, and Hinglish.
Unlike caller ID or simple screening apps, Equal AI actively converses with unknown callers, identifies their purpose, and either connects the call, takes a message, or blocks spam. The assistant transcribes calls in real time, allowing users to “peek before they speak” and step in instantly if necessary. It does not answer calls from saved contacts, ensuring personal conversations remain untouched.
Founder Keshav Reddy said Equal AI addresses one of the biggest frustrations for India’s near one billion smartphone users: persistent unwanted calls. “Equal AI listens, speaks, transcribes, and shares what’s happening live—so you decide if it’s worth your time. It’s like having your own personal secretary,” he said.
In pilot trials, Equal AI reduced interruptions by 87%, cut delivery coordination time by 73%, and achieved a 94% spam detection rate with zero false positives for known contacts.
The launch comes amid growing concern over spam in India, where more than 60% of users receive three or more unsolicited calls daily. TRAI recorded over 7.9 lakh complaints against unregistered telemarketers in the first half of 2024 alone.
Equal said in a statement that it plans a phased rollout of the service to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad later this year, with iOS support to follow. The company is targeting one million daily active users by mid-2026, positioning Equal AI as a foundation for broader consumer-focused AI assistants in India.
