BT Business has launched a new range of AI tools aimed at helping UK businesses use AI more easily and securely.
The new portfolio, called AI from BT, includes an AI Receptionist designed to handle customer calls around the clock, alongside a free AI Adoption Hub offering practical guidance for businesses getting started with the technology.
This comes as research from the telecoms giant 65% of small business owners believe AI could significantly benefit their business, but 56% say they are not yet making full use of it.
Additionally, 67% of small businesses said they miss at least one call on an average day that they believe results in lost business, with BT estimating unanswered calls could be costing small businesses £3.7 billion in revenue each year.
As a result, the launch of AI reception is esigned to answer routine enquiries, schedule appointments, send confirmations and capture information from customer conversations. It can also integrate with Outlook and Google Calendar.
AI Receptionist works across UK fixed and mobile networks, meaning businesses can keep their existing telephone numbers and systems. BT also added that customer data will remain private and will not be used to train AI models.
BT Business CEO, Jon James, said: “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. That’s why BT – the UK’s most trusted network for business – has created AI from BT: a portfolio of practical, secure AI solutions backed by BT’s expertise and support.”
Small Business Britain, Founder and CEO, Michelle Ovens, added: “Small businesses can often feel they are fighting a losing battle, having to cover everything from finance and HR to marketing with limited headcount.
“AI can be an incredible help, and when utilised correctly, it is a cost-effective and fast way of managing the front line of customer service. We know that time-poor customers want quick resolutions, and when businesses can’t provide this, revenue is lost. For small businesses, that can be the difference between being able to grow and expand, or not.”
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