# Configure AI Voicemail Transcription with OpenAI

Cloud Voice can convert the audio in voicemail messages into readable text using OpenAI's Speech to Text service. This page shows you how to link the phone system to that third-party service and choose which extensions the feature covers.

:::tip
Already set up AI Call Transcription against OpenAI Speech to Text? Turn on **Voicemail Transcription** and click **Copy Settings from Call Transcription** to bring that configuration over, then change only what differs.

![The Copy Settings from Call Transcription control in the AI Toolbox](/images/pbx/copy-ai-call-settings.png)
:::

## Requirements

Your phone system must meet the following before you begin.

| Item | Requirement |
|------|-------------|
| Firmware | Version **84.23.0.83** or later. |
| Subscription | An **Enterprise Plan** or **Ultimate Plan** subscription, so the **AI Transcription** feature is available. |

## Before you begin

**Network access**

The phone system must be able to reach `api.openai.com` to use OpenAI Speech to Text.

:::note
You can confirm the domain is reachable from the phone system at **Maintenance > Troubleshooting > IP Ping**.
:::

**Third-party account**

Have an OpenAI account with enough transcription-minute quota ready, along with its username and password.

:::caution
This feature runs on your own OpenAI account and draws down its transcription-minute quota each time a voicemail is transcribed. Confirm the account has enough quota before you turn it on: without it, transcription cannot run. Watch usage closely if you enable the feature for every extension, since every voicemail then consumes quota.
:::

## Step 1. Create an API key for OpenAI Speech to Text

So the phone system can authenticate its requests to OpenAI Speech to Text, generate an API key (Application Programming Interface key, the credential that identifies your account) on the OpenAI Platform first.

1. Sign in to [OpenAI Platform](https://platform.openai.com/) with your OpenAI username and password, then open **API Keys**.
2. Above the list of keys, on the right, choose **Create new secret key**.
3. Fill in the dialog that opens.

   
   ![Cloud Voice, creating a new secret key in the OpenAI Platform dialog](/images/pbx/openai-api-key.png)

   a. In **Name**, enter something that identifies the key.

   b. From the **Project** drop-down, select the project you want.

   c. Leave the permission set to its default of **All**, then choose **Create secret key**. The generated key appears in a new dialog.

   ![Generated OpenAI secret key ready to be copied](/images/pbx/openai-api-key-detail.png)

   d. Choose **Copy** and store the key somewhere safe for the next step.

## Step 2. Configure voicemail transcription on the phone system

With the API key in hand, enter the details on the phone system to establish the connection to OpenAI Speech to Text.

1. Sign in to the phone system web portal and open **AI > AI Toolbox**.
2. Turn on the **Voicemail Transcription** switch.
3. Set up the transcription service.

   ![OpenAI voicemail transcription settings in the AI Toolbox](/images/pbx/configure-global-ai-voicemail-transcription-with-openai.png)

   a. From the **Service Type** drop-down, select **Custom Service**.

   b. From the **Transcription Service Provider** drop-down, select **OpenAI**.

   c. In the **API key** field, paste the key you created on the OpenAI Platform.

   d. From the **Transcription Model** drop-down, pick the OpenAI Speech to Text model you prefer. For how the models differ, see OpenAI's list of [Realtime & audio models](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/models/all).

4. From the **Language** drop-down, choose the language to detect and transcribe in voicemail messages.
5. Under **Extension Scope for This Feature**, decide who can use voicemail transcription:
   - **All Extensions**: every extension can use the feature.
   - **Specific Extensions**: only the extensions, extension groups, or departments you select can use it.
6. Click **Save**.

## Result

**Transcription Connection Status** shows **Enable**, confirming that AI voicemail transcription via OpenAI Speech to Text is live. Both group and extension voicemail messages are now detected and transcribed into text in your chosen language.

![Transcription Connection Status showing Enable for OpenAI](/images/pbx/voicemail-transcription-connection-status-openai.png)

:::note
You can set the transcription language for an individual extension from **Extension and Trunk > Extension > AI > Voicemail Transcription > Language**. That per-extension language applies to the extension's personal voicemails and to group voicemails delivered in **Broadcast to Members** mode. See [Configure AI Voicemail Transcription for an Extension](/pbx/ai-guide/configure-ai-voicemail-transcription-for-an-extension/) for details.
:::