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Voice AI Finds Its Voice in Australia

  • Writer: Nick O'Halloran
    Nick O'Halloran
  • May 5
  • 3 min read

Updated: May 6

Manager monitoring sites and workers

From call centres to car dealerships, Voice AI is gaining ground across Australian industries


Voice Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a novelty or a futuristic concept — it’s rapidly becoming a core part of how Australian businesses operate, engage with customers, and streamline services. Whether it’s booking a car service, managing retail orders, or fielding insurance enquiries, voice-enabled AI is proving its value as a smart, scalable, and distinctly human-sounding solution.


A Rising Star in Australian AI Adoption

According to a 2024 report by the Australian Industry Group, over half of Australian businesses (52%) are now adopting some form of AI technology, with the services sector leading the charge.

Within that, Voice AI is seeing accelerated uptake, particularly in industries where customer engagement and operational efficiency are key.


Companies are deploying AI-powered voice assistants to:

  • Handle high volumes of inbound and outbound calls

  • Provide 24/7 availability without increasing staffing

  • Maintain consistent brand tone and customer experience

  • Integrate with CRMs, DMSs, and online booking platforms


In fact, many Australian businesses are now seeing Voice AI as a strategic advantage — not just a tech upgrade.



Real-World Examples: From Fast Food to Automotive

Australia has become an active testing ground for voice-led innovations:

  • KFC Australia is trialling drive-thru Voice AI to improve speed and accuracy of orders while freeing up staff for food prep and service.

  • Suzuki Australia recently launched “Hey Suzi” — a branded version of the Ask Harry voice assistant — to handle service bookings and test drive enquiries at its dealerships nationwide.

  • Healthcare providers and aged care homes are exploring Voice AI to log incident reports, track compliance, and improve patient support in real time.


These examples show how voice interfaces are reducing administrative overhead while improving the customer and employee experience.



Everyday Australians Are Onboard Too

In homes across the country, Australians have embraced virtual assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa, with local usage of voice search and commands growing by over 20% year-on-year (source: RedSearch Australia). The growing comfort with voice interaction is paving the way for more business-to-customer voice AI adoption — especially when it’s built with local context and understanding.

Apple’s recent launch of Apple Intelligence in Australia, incorporating ChatGPT into Siri, is another sign that voice-driven computing is here to stay.



Voice AI with a Human Touch

One of the early concerns about AI in customer service was that it might feel cold or robotic. But advances in natural language processing (NLP) and expressive speech synthesis mean today’s voice assistants can handle nuanced conversations, detect intent, and escalate to humans when necessary.

Australian solutions like Ask Harry have led the way with conversational AI platforms that sound natural, think fast, and blend into daily operations without friction. They can support multiple languages, follow compliance rules, and even generate analytics for business improvement.


Looking Ahead: Smart, Scalable, and Secure

As regulations around AI are introduced — including the Australian Government’s proposed framework for high-risk AI systems — Voice AI solutions are being designed with privacy, transparency, and compliance in mind.


The future looks bright. Voice AI in Australia is:

  • Creating better customer experiences

  • Lifting operational efficiency

  • Reducing hold times and missed calls

  • Supporting staff with digital teammates that never sleep


It’s not about replacing people — it’s about freeing them to do more valuable work.



Sources:

Australian Industry Group AI Report 2024 (PDF)

RedSearch: Voice Search Statistics Australia

The Australian – Apple Intelligence in Australia

The Verge – AI DJ Controversy

Tronic Australia – Voice AI for Business

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