Project description
AI brings benefits for small businesses
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionise how small businesses support their customers. In this context, the EU-funded Free-AI project will develop a novel AI-powered customer service solution for small businesses that cannot afford chatbots (computer programmes that can automate responses to customers and engage in conversation with them using a natural language). The project will develop technology to allow customers to integrate automated text service capabilities in their websites through a simple web widget. Free-AI will assess the future development of the scaling effort in terms of time, cost and risks, and it will also identify stakeholders and potential partners.
Objective
This project will develop a business plan for the international upscaling and launch of a novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered customer service for small businesses.
Today, the ability to swiftly handle and respond to the text-based questions and inquiries from potential customers submitted through the company’s website is an important determinant of the competitive position of any business. The market has already responded to this demand through exponential growth of chat bots – computer programs that aim to automate responses to the prospects and maintain a conversation with a client in natural language.
However, the vast majority of small businesses are not a part of this growth. To develop and launch a chatbot is expensive, requires vast programming effort and understanding of diverse aspects of natural language processing.
Sonetel aims to disrupt the market and make AI-assisted customer service available to any company globally. We have developed the prototype of the service, which allows our customers to integrate automated text service capability in their websites through a simple web Widget. Sonetel’s solution uniquely and instantly resolves a wide range of the external and internal communication needs for small businesses – with an emphasis on the inbound customer communication – for free.
In the back-end, our new service rests on the firm technological foundation of the Sonetel Voice SaaS platform. This platform has proven to change the way small businesses conduct international customer service activities. It transforms SMEs into true global entrepreneurs. The platform currently has +100,000 paying customers +170 countries.
As a part of the SME Instrument Phase 1 feasibility assessment, we will develop a roadmap for scaling our innovation globally. If successful, the project will allow Sonetel to experience accelerated growth and fully realise its business development strategy.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computer security data protection
- social sciences economics and business business and management entrepreneurship
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science natural language processing
- social sciences economics and business business and management business models
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
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H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
114 11 STOCKHOLM
Sweden
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.