An AI receptionist is a voice agent configured for inbound call handling — answering calls 24/7, booking appointments, answering FAQ questions, and routing complex calls to a human. Building one takes 1–3 days for a prototype and 2–4 weeks for a production deployment integrated with your calendar and CRM.
What an AI receptionist does (and doesn’t do)
Does:
- Answers every inbound call — no voicemail, no hold music
- Collects caller name, contact details, and reason for calling
- Answers FAQ questions (hours, location, pricing, availability)
- Books appointments directly into your calendar
- Routes urgent or complex calls to a human with context
- Sends SMS confirmation after booking