Slimbot
You're with a customer, in a treatment or it's seven o'clock in the evening, and the phone rings. Those who don't answer often lose the caller to the next one on Google. An AI receptionist then answers for you. What exactly is that, what can and can't it do, and when is it worthwhile?
What is an AI receptionist?
An AI receptionist is software that answers the phone and conducts a conversation in ordinary, spoken language. It listens to the caller, understands the question and responds with the information you have given it: your services, prices, opening hours and working method. It then performs an action, such as recording an appointment request or call-back request, or transferring the call.
You'll come across it under different names: AI telephonist, AI telephonist, virtual receptionist or AI phone assistant. It's always the same thing. The difference with an old-fashioned menu ('press 1 for…') is that the caller simply says what they want.
What does an AI receptionist do in practice?
- Answer questions about opening hours, prices and services.
- Record appointment requests: it asks for a preferred time and records it; you schedule it in your calendar yourself.
- Transferring for urgent calls, to you or a colleague.
- Capture a call-back request when it doesn't know the answer, with name, number and question. You receive an instant notification.
- Transcribe every conversation, so you can read back exactly what was said later.
You decide when it answers: always, only outside opening hours, or only when you don't answer yourself.
What can it (still) not do?
An AI receptionist only knows what you teach it. Complex advice, an angry customer with a long story or a question that requires bespoke work: a human is better at that. A good AI receptionist recognises such calls and forwards them, or records them so you can call back. So don't see it as a replacement for your expertise, but as someone who answers the phone, clarifies the question and handles the simple work.
Who is an AI receptionist interesting for?
| Company | Typical situation |
|---|---|
| Hairdresser or salon | Schedule appointments whilst you're helping a customer (more for hairdressers) |
| Installer or handyman business | Answer callers whilst you're on site (more for tradespeople) |
| Practice | Direct callers to the right appointment or person without a queue |
| Restaurant | Take bookings, even when the place is full or closed |
| Estate agent | Schedule viewings and pre-qualify leads outside office hours |
| Freelancer | Be answered professionally, even when you can't take the call |
How does it work technically?
You don't need a new number or SIM card. Your existing 085 number or Dutch mobile number (06) is forwarded to the AI. Customers call the number they already know and notice nothing of the technology. Then you teach the assistant about your business: frequently asked questions, opening hours, services and prices. That usually takes less than half an hour. You see all conversations in your dashboard, and you can adjust the assistant at any time.
AI receptionist, telephonist or call service?
| AI receptionist | Own receptionist | Call service | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available | 24/7 | During working hours | Depending on the subscription |
| Knowledge of your business | What you teach it, always the same answer | Large, after training | Usually a fixed call script |
| Schedule appointments | Yes, immediately | Yes | Sometimes |
| Costs | Fixed monthly amount | Salary | Often per conversation or per minute |
| Personal contact | Limited, forwards to you | Large | Limited |
Many businesses combine: the AI answers outside working hours and when busy, and during the day you or your colleague answer yourself.
Privacy and honesty towards the caller
At Slimbot, every call is transcribed and saved in your dashboard. Recordings are on by default and can be switched off per number. Transcribed calls are kept for 90 days and can be exported. Our tip: have the assistant say in the greeting that the caller is speaking to a digital assistant. That's fair, and the European AI regulation also asks for that transparency.
What does an AI receptionist cost?
At Slimbot, AI phone answering is an add-on to a subscription. An account is free, without a credit card; the subscription only starts when you accept the offer and can then be cancelled monthly, without a contract. Current prices are on the plans page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an AI receptionist and an AI telephonist? There is no difference: they are two names for the same thing.
Do I keep my own phone number? Yes, your number is forwarded. Customers call the number they already know.
What if it doesn't know the answer? Then it records a call-back request with name, number and question, and you receive an immediate notification.
In which languages does it speak? In Dutch. If you need another language, please ask us.
Hear for yourself how it sounds
Try the AI receptionist on your own number — free account, no credit card.
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