Can I use AI to cold call or text a list of leads?

No. AI calling and text messaging require an opt-in from every person you contact. This is not just bad practice, it is not allowed, it applies across the whole US (not one state), and it is the same with any provider. You cannot load a list, a phone book or contacts scraped from a site such as LinkedIn and start calling or texting them.

How to collect opt-ins:

1. Create a lead magnet and an opt-in page or form that captures the phone number.
2. Drive traffic to it, organically or with Facebook ads.
3. Include a checkbox on the form where the person agrees to receive text messages or to be called by an automated system. This checkbox is also part of A2P registration.
4. Once someone checks the box and submits, you can text them and call them with AI.

Every form submission is logged in the system, so you have a record of consent if you ever need to show it. This protects both you and your clients.

Good uses of outbound AI calling with opted-in contacts include database reactivation, appointment setting and appointment reminder calls (for example for dental offices, where an empty chair loses money).