New Update: Send DTMF with AI assistants

23, Apr 2025

Today, we’re rolling out a new tool in the AI Assistant Builder: Send DTMF. This update gives your AI assistants the power to interact with IVR systems, enter keypad inputs, and handle telephony menus in real time just like a human caller.

Key benefits:

The DTMF tool makes it possible to automate more complex workflows without human intervention.

Navigate IVRs: Route calls through keypad-based menus with precise tone inputs.
Input PINs and account numbers: Automate secure authentication and access steps.
Trigger phone tree selections: Respond to prompts that require touch-tone entries.

How it works

The Send DTMF tool is now available as a component in the AI Assistant Builder. You can:

Insert DTMF tones into your call flow dynamically.
Trigger them based on conditions or previous inputs.
Combine with other tools like insights and memory for adaptive call logic.

Whether you’re building appointment confirmations, account lookups, or end-to-end IVR automation, your assistant can now handle it all with no handoff required.

Why it matters

IVR navigation has traditionally been a blocker for full automation. With this update, AI assistants can now pass through voice menus, enter codes, and progress conversations that used to require human touch. That means higher containment, less friction, and smarter automation at scale.

Getting started

Log into the Telnyx Mission Control Portal.
Edit or create a new AI Assistant.
At the bottom of the agent configuration tab, click the “Tools” drop down. Add the Send DTMF tool.
Finish configuring your agent and test it in the interface before going live.

This feature is available now for all AI assistants. Start building agents that do more, smarter.