BT Business launches 'AI from BT' suite with 24/7 AI receptionist for UK small firms

According to BT Business, the AI Receptionist operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can schedule appointments and send confirmations, integrates with Outlook and Google Calendar, and captures and records conversations so that businesses can draw insights from customer interactions.

BT Business said the product was developed because small firms often struggle to keep pace with customer enquiries and can lose a deal as a result. In a research report released alongside the launch, the company said more than two thirds, or 67%, of UK SMBs miss at least one call every day that could cause them to lose business, and it estimated that as much as £3.7 billion in revenue is lost annually because small businesses cannot always answer the phone. BT said calls remain the preferred way for customers to contact a business, and that failing to answer can weigh heavily on a customer's purchasing decision.

The same research found that 75% of potential customers will make three call attempts before giving up, while 58% said they would tell friends and family to avoid a business that failed to pick up.

"AI has the potential to be a huge boost to small businesses and to drive the UK's growth, but many businesses are struggling to know how to begin and how to adopt simply and securely," said Jon James, chief executive of BT Business. "AI Receptionist is the first step in the journey, helping businesses capture every opportunity, reduce admin and deliver responsive, personalised service around the clock, while keeping their customer data protected."

The launch also includes an AI Adoption Hub, which BT Business described as a source of advice, guides and real-world examples of how the technology can be used to support small firms.

BT Business said the AI Receptionist is available on flexible contracts and can be set up quickly through a self-service portal, requiring minimal technical expertise. The tool works across any UK fixed or mobile network, so customers can keep their existing number without changing or replacing their phone system. BT Business said customer data will remain private and will not be used to train AI models.

The announcement covers the UK market only, and BT Business did not disclose pricing for the AI Receptionist or a specific date beyond the launch.