An introvert’s dream? Telegram tests AI that replies to chats for you
If replying to a growing pile of messages feels like a chore, Telegram may have a solution. The messenger is testing an AI assistant that can find unanswered chats, draft replies and handle other tasks, according to Russian tech media outlet Kod.ru.
The experimental feature could be particularly appealing to introverts and anyone tired of managing dozens of conversations. Instead of scrolling through chats, users can ask the assistant to identify messages that need attention and prepare responses. Sending them, however, still requires user confirmation.
In one test, the assistant was asked to identify the five most recent unread private chats while excluding channels, groups, bots and Saved Messages. It returned the contacts, unread-message counts and short summaries in 32 seconds, with the results matching the account.
It could also identify conversations where a question had apparently been left unanswered and suggest possible replies. When asked to compose a message, the assistant placed the draft directly into the relevant Telegram chat.
However, it did not send the message automatically even when full access had been enabled. The user still had to confirm the action. Access to individual chats can also be restricted.
AI assistant can create files and interactive tools
The test went beyond messaging. When asked to prepare an Excel budget for a trip, the assistant generated an XLSX file with formulas and a chart in one minute and 36 seconds. Kod.ru said its checks found the calculations and formula references were correct.
In another example, the assistant wrote the code for an interactive tip calculator that ran inside a Telegram message. Users could enter a bill, choose a tip percentage and split the total between several people.
That task took almost seven minutes, making it less practical for a simple calculation, but it demonstrated that the system can produce interactive tools rather than text alone.
The experimental setup uses a separate application called Teleharness to manage AI models, permissions, connected tools and memory. It can use API-based models, a ChatGPT subscription or local models and provides the assistant with a Linux virtual machine for some tasks.
Teleharness can also interact with Mac applications. During testing, it created a shopping list in Apple Notes after first asking for permission, although the resulting formatting was poor and the task took several minutes.
