Dealership technology provider Kenect has introduced Voice AI, an artificial intelligence system designed to improve service department operations and customer interactions.

Voice AI serves as a virtual receptionist, available 24/7 to handle inbound calls, answer routine questions, schedule service appointments and route inquiries to the appropriate department.

The company said automating those tasks allows dealerships to reduce their administrative workload, improve responsiveness and create consistent customer service during and outside of business hours.

Voice AI is designed to respond immediately to customer calls and requests, as well as providing intelligent call routing based on inquiry type, customer status or repair order, and automated appointment scheduling integrated directly with dealership management systems.

Kenect said dealerships using Voice AI in testing have recorded a 61% reduction in call volume for service staff, savings of two hours per day per service writer and a 23% increase in service revenue.