Duckbill Debuts API for Human Contractors as AI Agents Still Fumble Phone Calls
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Oct 31
Duckbill Debuts API for Human Contractors as AI Agents Still Fumble Phone Calls
1 articles · Updated · CNBC · Oct 31
Summary
Duckbill has launched an API that lets AI-agent companies hand off tasks to human contractors when software cannot reliably complete phone calls, scheduling or other real-world actions.
Meghan Joyce said current agents still hit roadblocks on jobs requiring judgment, so Duckbill breaks failed requests into small steps that contract workers can execute and track.
Dazzle AI, led by former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, uses the same human-in-the-loop model after an agent mixed up window glass and tabletop glass during a home-renovation request.
Wajo AI also routes phone calls and CAPTCHA checks to people, underscoring a broader industry view that collaborative AI is needed until models can handle involved web tasks consistently.
Privacy remains a constraint: Meta previously faced internal concerns over human contractors handling Muse test calls, while Duckbill and Dazzle say they background-check 1099 workers and stress discretion.