Can I answer calls on my own phone first and have the AI pick up only when I miss them?

Yes. Create your AI receptionist and add a call forwarding step that rings your own cell phone first (enter your cell number in the forward step). Add the branch for no answer or outside business hours and connect it to the AI. If you do not answer, or the call comes outside your hours, the AI picks up and takes over, for example saying it looks like everyone is on another call or out of the office and asking what the caller needs.

This lets you put a toll free or local Votel number on your website and still be rung first.

You are not charged for the AI while the call is being forwarded to you, because the AI is not in use. You only pay for the AI on the no answer or outside hours branch. For outbound calls you do not pay for ringing time, only once someone picks up.