No one enjoys sitting by the phone, listening to that dull hold music on repeat while waiting to connect to customer service. Nor do they appreciate robotic responses that can’t go beyond scripted replies. Thanks to AI, we’re now able to overcome these frustrations.
Instead of waiting on hold for long periods, customers can now interact with smart systems that respond quickly and accurately. New generation AI-powered tools enable call centers to operate more efficiently, resolve issues faster, and deliver improved service. It’s also a win-win situation: it also reduces operational costs.
According to Gartner, AI in customer service will continue to grow, with 70% of customer interactions being managed by AI by 2025. You’ll be more peaceful in your business with this capable automated system.
Let’s explore how AI can help you build AI call agents
What is an AI call agent?
An AI call agent is an intelligent system designed to handle customer calls and complete tasks without human involvement. Using advanced AI, these agents can understand and respond to customer inquiries, solving problems quickly and efficiently. Unlike traditional call center agents, who address each customer individually, this system can manage multiple calls simultaneously and operate 24/7.
They’re effective for repetitive tasks, such as answering common questions, checking account details, or resolving simple issues. As a result, this frees up human agents to focus on more complex issues requiring personal interaction.
Moreover, integrating AI into call centers allows businesses to save time, cut costs, and deliver faster service. According to McKinsey & Company, a major telecommunications provider automated 80% of its resource scheduling, resulting in a 10% decrease in escalations, a 15% reduction in cycle time, and a 15% drop in field costs.
Why build an AI call agent?
Building an AI call agent is a smart move for businesses aiming to enhance their customer service. These agents take care of routine tasks, freeing up human agents to handle more complex issues. This not only saves time but also reduces costs. By automating many customer interactions, businesses can rely less on large customer service teams while maintaining high levels of support.
In this way, your business can lower operational costs, resolve problems faster, and make it easier to scale customer service operations. For example, Vodafone uses AI-powered services to manage millions of customer inquiries.
How to build an AI call Agent
Step 1: Define the role and scope of your AI agent
The first step is to decide what tasks it will manage. Will it handle basic queries, like checking account balances, or more complex tasks, such as troubleshooting? Clearly defining the agent’s role ensures proper training and functionality. Additionally, set metrics to measure its performance. Such as resolution times, the frequency of human intervention, or customer satisfaction scores.
Step 2: Choose the right AI technology and platform
One of the big questions is finding the right AI platform. If it doesn’t meet your business needs or integrate seamlessly with existing systems, it can lead to negative customer experiences, thereby affecting your brand reputation. A well-chosen platform enhances efficiency, improves customer interactions, and supports a seamless experience.
Top AI powered call center:
ElevenLabs
ElevenLabs is an AI-driven platform specializing in realistic text-to-speech and voice cloning technologies, enabling users to generate lifelike speech in multiple languages.
- Text-to-speech (TTS) conversion
- Voice cloning with customization
- Multilingual support
- Adjustable intonation and pacing
Pros:
- High-quality, natural-sounding voices
- User-friendly interface
- Versatile applications across industries
Cons:
- Pricing may be high for small businesses
- Limited free tier features
Pricing: Free plan available with 10k credits limit. Paid plans start from $5/month.
Location: United States
“We’ve been using elevenlabs for a while now and the workflow is great, generating voice from text is the easiest thing ever. We created a custom model of a senior team member, and the results are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. But what’s more, when we needed support from the team, they rallied to figure out an urgent situation and really went the extra mile to help us overcome the challenge we faced. Big shoutout to Matt and J for the team effort.” Sergio Barreto
Retell AI
Retell AI offers an advanced API platform for building human-like conversational voice AI agents, facilitating seamless voice interactions for businesses.
- Ultra-low latency responses (~800ms)
- Natural turn-taking and interruption handling
- Multilingual support
- Easy integration with existing systems
Pros:
- Realistic and engaging voice interactions
- Flexible and scalable solutions
- Compliance with privacy standards
Cons:
- Pricing details require direct inquiry
- May require technical expertise for integration
Pricing: Free trial available. Pay-as-you-go options start from $0.05 per minute.
Location: United States
“The technical implementation is seamless, with well-documented APIs and robust error handling. Response times are impressively fast, and the voice quality is outstanding. Their leadership team and customer support have been exceptional, making the integration process smooth and straightforward.” Gianni D’Alerta
Synthflow
Synthflow AI is a no-code platform that allows businesses to create and deploy advanced conversational AI voice assistants, automating customer interactions without extensive technical expertise.
- No-code interface for easy setup
- Customizable AI voice assistants
- Real-time voice interactions
- Integration with over 130 tools and services
Pros:
- User-friendly for non-technical users
- Enhances customer experience with lifelike interactions
- Cost-effective solution for automation
Cons:
- Subscription costs may be high for small businesses
- Initial setup may require time
Pricing: Starts at $29/mo, 50 minutes and 10 concurrent calls.
Location: United States
“I’ve used Synthflow extensively since first engaging with voice AI tech about three months ago. I like their platform and how easy it is to set a voice agent and get it working. I was able to create an inbound agent that answers calls at a law firm, sets appointments, and live-transfers calls upon request. There is inline integration with Zapier, so you can build zaps directly within the Synthflow ecosystem, which is convenient.” Mike Margol
| Tool | Integration Options | Multilingual Support | Pros | Cons | Free Trial | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElevenLabs | Limited integration; primarily text-to-speech tools | Yes | High-quality, natural-sounding voices; user-friendly interface; versatile applications | High pricing for small businesses; limited free tier features | Yes, 10k credit limit | Free plan with paid plans starting at $5/month |
| Retell AI | Seamless integration with APIs and existing systems | Yes | Realistic voice interactions; flexible and scalable; privacy-compliant | Requires technical expertise; pricing details require inquiry | Yes | Pay-as-you-go starting at $0.05/minute |
| Synthflow | Integrates with 130+ tools, including Zapier | Yes | No-code interface; cost-effective; user-friendly for non-technical users | Subscription costs may be high; initial setup may take time | Yes | Starts at $29/month for 50 minutes and 10 concurrent calls |
Step 3: Train your AI agent with real-world scenarios
Zappos, known for excellent customer service, uses AI to handle routine tasks, like order inquiries, and constantly trains its AI to improve customer interactions based on real-life scenarios.
To continuously train your AI, you should provide real-world data from customer interactions. Over time, you’ll have better results because it enables the AI to learn from mistakes and improve its accuracy and efficiency for future conversations.
Will AI replace call center agents?
AI shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for call center agents. It’s a productive hybrid system where AI and humans can work together.
In this system, AI call agents take care of repetitive tasks quickly and efficiently. Therefore, human agents remain essential for addressing sensitive issues that require empathy, creativity, or critical thinking.
This teamwork not only boosts efficiency but also enhances customer satisfaction by ensuring both simple and complex inquiries are handled effectively.
Need a custom AI solution? We create personalized tools like AI call agents. Let’s build one for you. Contact us today.
FAQ
What is an AI call agent?
An AI call agent is an intelligent system that handles customer calls and tasks without human involvement. It can manage multiple calls simultaneously and operate 24/7, freeing human agents for complex issues.
Why should I use an AI call agent for my business?
AI call agents:
- Reduce operational costs.
- Resolve customer inquiries faster.
- Improve customer satisfaction with quicker, accurate responses.
How do I build an AI call agent?
To build an AI call agent:
- Define the tasks it will handle.
- Choose the right AI platform (e.g., ElevenLabs, Retell AI, Synthflow).
- Train it with real-world customer interactions for better accuracy.
Which tools can I use to create AI call agents?
- ElevenLabs: Text-to-speech, voice cloning, multilingual support.
- Retell AI: Low-latency, realistic voice interactions, API integration.
- Synthflow: No-code platform with real-time voice AI and integrations.
Will AI call agents replace human agents?
No, AI call agents complement human agents. AI handles repetitive tasks, while humans manage complex or sensitive issues requiring empathy and creativity.
How does training improve AI call agents?
Training with real-world scenarios helps AI agents improve accuracy, learn from mistakes, and handle more complex inquiries effectively.
How can AI call agents reduce costs?
AI call agents lower costs by:
- Handling routine inquiries without human staff.
- Reducing the need for large support teams.
- Automating repetitive processes efficiently.
Which industries benefit from AI call agents?
Industries like telecommunications, e-commerce, healthcare, financial services, and law firms benefit from AI call agents for automating customer support.
How can I implement an AI call agent in my business?
- Define its role and scope.
- Select the right AI technology platform.
- Train the AI using real data for continuous improvement.
