OpenAI lets GPT-Live agents place outbound phone calls

OpenAI has made outbound telephony generally available for GPT-Live voice agents. Applications can now initiate calls to ordinary phone numbers through a compatible SIP trunk provider, rather than limiting AI agents to inbound calls.

A developer supplies the destination number, caller number and SIP provider details when creating a Live session. The provider handles the connection to the phone network while GPT-Live carries the conversation. OpenAI’s documentation names services such as Twilio and requires TLS signaling plus encrypted SRTP audio.

The API exposes events for ringing, answered and failed calls, while a sideband connection lets the application receive transcripts, run tools and control the session. Active-call controls can send DTMF keypad tones, transfer a call or hang up. HD Voice is available when the carrier path supports it.

The change matters beyond a narrow API update because it enables a new class of autonomous phone workflows: appointment reminders, customer follow-ups, scheduling and other tasks where an agent must start the conversation. Developers still need to handle consent, local calling rules and duplicate side effects in their own applications. OpenAI also notes that a successful session creation means dialing has started, not that a person has answered.