AI Phone Calling: An Updated Guide on How to Set Up a Bland Phone Agent

‍Setting Up the Bland Phone Agent

To start, sign up for a Bland AI account and obtain an API key. This key is required for authentication in all API requests. Bland’s API is REST-based, allowing developers to send a phone number and instructions (or reference a pre-built conversation script) to initiate AI phone calling.

Defining Your AI Voice Agent’s Behavior

You have two options for defining the agent’s actions:

1. Conversational Pathways (No-Code Approach) – Use Bland’s visual interface to map out dialogues, define branching logic, and set call responses. Once created, retrieve the pathway_id.
2. Prompt-Based Instructions (API-Driven Approach) – Provide a task (text prompt) via API, dynamically instructing the agent on how to respond during the call.

Both methods allow for custom voice selection, multi-lingual support, and function calling to interact with external APIs—allowing Bland AI to retrieve order statuses, schedule meetings, or update records.

Deploying Your AI Agent

1. Log in to the Bland AI platform and create your AI agent by either building a pathway or defining a task-based conversation.
2. Set up integrations for calendars, CRMs, or custom tools (docs.bland.ai).
3. Associate a phone number and trigger calls. Bland supports:
   
   • Outbound calls – AI-initiated updates for order tracking or reminders.
   • Inbound calls – AI answers customer inquiries on a dedicated phone line.
4. If using Twilio for voice, you can integrate your Twilio phone numbers for AI phone calling.

Integrating Bland AI with Workflow Automation Tools

Bland easily integrates with Zapier, Make.com, and Pipedream, allowing low-code automation with thousands of applications.

Common Integration Scenarios

1. Order Tracking Automation

Trigger Bland AI calls when an order status changes in:

• Shopify, ShipStation, or custom e-commerce platforms.
• The agent retrieves tracking details via API and notifies the customer.

2. AI Secretary & Scheduling

Connect Bland AI with Google Calendar or CRM systems to automate scheduling. Example workflows:

• An agent calls a client to confirm an appointment and updates the calendar.
• When a meeting is scheduled, Bland calls to remind the client 24 hours prior.

3. Twilio and Telephony Integration

• Use Twilio Studio to direct specific calls to Bland AI for handling.
• Automate customer follow-ups: A customer texts a keyword → Zapier triggers Bland AI → AI calls and logs the conversation into a CRM.

To pass dynamic data into calls, use Bland’s webhook callbacks. For example:

• AI calls a customer about a delayed shipment and logs the response into Salesforce.
• After a call, Bland AI triggers an SMS follow-up via Twilio.

Step-by-Step: Deploying a Bland AI Phone Agent

1. Get API Credentials

• Sign up on Bland AI Developer Portal.
• Obtain your API Key for authentication.

2. Define Your AI Phone’s Call Flow

Option A: Conversational Pathway (No-Code UI)

• Create a new pathway in the Bland AI dashboard.
• Define the conversation flow (e.g., ask for an order number, fetch details, and respond).
• Copy the pathway_id for API deployment.

Option B: API-Driven Approach

Define a task prompt:

{
  "task": "You are an AI assistant. Ask for an order number, retrieve order status via API, and provide an update."
}

• Send this prompt dynamically when making an API call.

3. Set Up External Integrations

• Webhook or API Tool Calls – Bland AI can fetch data in real time. Example: Call /getOrderStatus with the order number, then relay the response in the call.
• Zapier Triggers – Automate AI calls when an order is marked “shipped” in Shopify.
• Twilio SMS Follow-Ups – After a Bland AI call, trigger a Twilio SMS confirmation.

4. Initiate a Call via API

To test an outbound AI call, use:

curl -X POST "https://public.api.bland.ai/v1/calls" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_API_KEY>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "phone_number": "+15551234567",
    "pathway_id": "YOUR-PATHWAY-ID-IF-USED",
    "task": "YOUR_PROMPT_TEXT_IF_NO_PATHWAY"
  }'

Replace +15551234567 with the recipient’s number.

5. Review & Optimize

• Use call transcripts in the Bland AI dashboard to refine conversation accuracy (docs.bland.ai).
• Improve prompt quality by adding examples of expected responses.
• Enable voicemail detection or SMS follow-ups for missed calls.

Optimization & Scaling

Fine-Tune Conversations

• Refine AI prompts with Q&A pairs.
• Use call transcripts to detect and improve weak responses.

Scaling Up AI Call Operations

• Set max call duration and retry limits.
• Multi-language support – Automate calls in Spanish, French, or any language.

Expanding Use Cases

Once your AI agent is working well for order tracking and scheduling, expand to:

• Automated customer feedback surveys post-delivery.
• AI-driven payment reminders and marketing follow-ups.
• Internal HR automation (e.g., compliance training reminders).

Compliance Considerations

• Follow telemarketing laws (e.g., opt-out handling) to avoid spam complaints.
• Clearly state that the AI is automated to maintain transparency.