Should an AI caller say it’s an AI?
Why Ora always does, and how to say it without losing the call.
Why honesty wins
- It’s the law’s direction. The Fair Trading Act says you must not mislead people. Pretending to be a person is a risk you don’t need to take.
- It’s your brand. A caller who feels tricked tells people. A caller who was told up front often doesn’t mind.
- It sets expectations. People talk to an AI a little differently, more plainly and to the point. That makes calls better.
When to say it
Not as the very first words. Opening with “I’m an AI” sounds like a scam call. Ora checks it has the right business first, then says who it is and that it’s an AI in its first reply, before anything about why it’s calling:
When someone doesn’t want to talk to an AI
Respect it. Thank them, and offer what you can: an email summary, or a call from a person on your team if you have one. Don’t argue. And if anyone asks whether they’re talking to a person later in the call, the answer is always honest.
Honest about what it doesn’t know
Saying it’s an AI is half of it. The other half is only stating what’s true. Ora answers only from facts the business has approved, and says “I’m not sure, I can have the team follow up” for the rest.
Questions
Does Ora say it’s an AI?
Yes, in its first reply on every call, and again whenever someone asks. It never pretends to be a person.
Why not say it in the first sentence?
Leading with “I’m an AI” sounds like a scam call. Checking you’ve got the right business first, then saying who you are and that you’re an AI, sounds like a real call.
What if someone won’t talk to an AI?
Ora thanks them, offers one lighter option such as an email, and leaves warmly if it’s still a no.
Try Ora on your own business.
Set it up free and practise calls in your browser. Or ring Veronica, our own Ora, on 09 873 4723.