AI voice agent
An AI voice agent is software that answers the phone in natural language, understands the request and takes concrete action: booking an appointment, answering a question, transferring a call or taking a message. It works around the clock and handles several calls at once.
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In brief
- Software that answers the phone in natural language, with no keypad menu
- It settles the request: booking, answer, transfer or message
- Available around the clock, on several calls at once
- Different from voicemail, which records a message without settling anything
It is also called an AI receptionist, a virtual receptionist or a callbot. Unlike voicemail, an AI voice agent does not just record a message: it settles the request.
How does an AI voice agent work?
Three building blocks run in sequence during the call: speech recognition turns speech into text, a language model understands the request and chooses the action to take, then a synthetic voice answers. The agent can check your free slots, then records a summary and a transcript of the call.
How does it differ from voicemail or a receptionist?
Voicemail records a message someone must return. A receptionist settles the request, but one call at a time and during working hours. An AI voice agent settles the request around the clock, with 1, 3 or 5 simultaneous calls depending on the ATOM Assistant plan. Compare providers in the comparison of AI voice agents.
See also the virtual AI receptionist, the cloned voice, the guide What is an AI receptionist? and the AI voice agent page. Its neighbouring terms are the AI answering machine and interactive voice response.
Frequently asked questions
Can an AI voice agent take several calls at once?
Yes. It is not limited to one call at a time. With ATOM Assistant, the limit depends on the plan: 1, 3 or 5 simultaneous calls.
When does it transfer the call to a person?
According to your rules: an emergency, a request outside its scope or the caller’s wish. It can also take a complete message.
Do I need to change my phone number?
No. Conditional call forwarding sends unanswered calls to the agent, and you keep your published number.
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