What is an AI receptionist?
An AI receptionist is software that answers phone calls with a natural voice, understands what callers say and responds in real time. It can answer questions, take messages, book appointments and transfer calls, at any hour.
How it works
When a call reaches the AI receptionist, speech recognition turns the caller's words into text, a language model decides what to say or do, and speech synthesis answers out loud, fast enough to hold a normal conversation.
It works from what you give it: your business information, your hours, your services and your rules. It can call tools during the call, such as checking a calendar to book a slot or transferring to a person.
After the call, it usually leaves a transcript and a summary, so the team knows what was asked and what was promised.
Why it matters
01Every call answered
No caller hits voicemail after hours, on weekends or when the team is busy.
02Leads captured
Name, need and contact details are taken on the first call, not on a callback.
03People freed up
Routine questions are handled, and the team takes the calls that need them.
Allo and AI receptionist
Allo's AI receptionist is a paid add-on: it answers for your business, books meetings and transfers to your team, with every call summarized in your CRM.
Related terms
The terms that usually come up in the same conversation.
All glossary terms
Frequently asked questions
Modern voices are natural, but it is good practice, and in some places a legal requirement, to say that the caller is speaking with an AI assistant.
An IVR offers a fixed menu of options. An AI receptionist holds an open conversation, understands free speech and can act, such as booking an appointment.
Yes, most can transfer to a teammate or a group when the caller asks for one or when the request is outside what the AI should handle.