Real-time applications of conversational AI in 2025

Summary

• Conversational AI is experiencing growth in real-time applications across industries like healthcare, retail, education, and finance.
• Real-time agents provide instant responses, improving customer experiences and operational efficiency.
• Technologies like advanced text to speech, multilingual speech synthesis, and emotion recognition are contributing to developments in conversational AI capabilities. 

Overview

In 2025, conversational AI has reached a new level of sophistication. While older models produced laggy responses, modern conversational AI delivers real-time output, transforming how businesses and individuals interact with machines. From improving customer support to optimizing operations, real-time conversational AI is already becoming irreplaceable.

Conversational AI is growing in popularity

In 2025, conversational AI has reached a point where real-time communication feels effortless.

Although this once seemed like a futuristic concept for machines, real-time conversational AI has become a cornerstone of business-customer interactions. It offers immediate responses and tailored support across various industries. From answering complex customer queries to delivering updates and recommendations, these AI-powered tools transform robotic and laggy interactions into human-like conversations.

But real-time applications of conversational AI aren’t just about speed. They’re also about authenticity and genuine support. In healthcare, these systems help patients manage their care without delays. In retail, they guide customers through personalized shopping journeys. And in finance, they offer quick, accurate support for everything from fraud alerts to budgeting advice. 

In this blog, we dive into the practical ways conversational AI is being used in real-time, discussing the benefits, the challenges, and what all these advancements mean for the future of human-machine communication. 

Let’s begin!

Customer support

Just a few years ago, you could definitely tell whether you were chatting to a human customer support agent or a bot. While human agents would immediately pick up on context and provide timely responses, customer service bots tended to lag, crash, and misinterpret your words. 

Nowadays, it’s significantly more challenging to distinguish between machines and humans. Response quality aside, conversational AI agents have become much better at balancing speed and quality, providing fast and accurate responses.

Instant troubleshooting and problem-solving

Conversational AI tools can resolve customer issues in real-time by diagnosing problems and providing actionable solutions. For example, a telecommunications company can deploy an AI chatbot to guide users through steps to fix connectivity issues. These systems can also escalate unresolved cases to human agents, providing smooth transitions without delays.

Multichannel support integration

Nowadays, conversational AI easily integrates with platforms like email, live chat, social media, and phone systems. This multichannel approach ensures customers receive consistent support regardless of how they reach out. For instance, an AI assistant can handle a query on social media and provide follow-up updates via email.

Proactive customer engagement

Real-time conversational AI doesn’t just wait for customers to initiate contact. It proactively reaches out to offer support or information, including notifying a user about a suspicious login attempt or providing personalized recommendations during a shopping session.

Healthcare

Advancements in conversational AI have extended beyond customer service. While the topic of health may be sensitive to many individuals, modern AI agents can understand these nuances and take on a more empathetic approach. Not only does conversational AI respond quickly, but it can also be trained to do so gently and patiently. 

Real-time symptom checkers

AI-powered health assistants allow patients to input symptoms and receive instant guidance on potential conditions and next steps. For example, if a patient is experiencing mild chest pain, instead of panicking or feeling lost, they can use a virtual assistant to assess whether to seek emergency care. 

These tools also reduce unnecessary visits to the emergency room, allowing urgent cases to receive immediate attention.

Appointment scheduling and reminders

Conversational AI simplifies appointment management by enabling patients to book, reschedule, or cancel appointments in real-time. AI assistants also send automated reminders, ensuring patients don’t miss important consultations or follow-ups.

Remote monitoring and updates

Patients using wearable health devices can receive real-time updates from AI systems that analyze their data. A popular example is an AI assistant notifying a diabetic patient if their glucose levels fall outside the normal range and suggesting corrective actions before danger strikes. 

Retail and e-commerce

Retailers and online store owners know the power of timely and quality customer service, yet often struggle with hiring enough customer support reps to deal with queries and complaints as they scale. 

Moreover, modern customers prefer a personalized shopping experience, leading company owners to address this demand via advanced conversational AI tools.

Dynamic product recommendations

Real-time AI systems analyze customer behavior as they browse, offering tailored product suggestions. A shopper searching for hiking gear might receive recommendations for boots, jackets, and accessories that match their preferences.

Instant order updates and tracking

AI-powered assistants provide customers with real-time updates on their orders, including shipping status and delivery timelines. Users can ask an AI assistant, “Where’s my order?” and receive immediate responses based on current tracking data.

Voice-enabled shopping

Integrating text to speech capabilities allows AI to guide customers through the shopping experience. A voice assistant can read product descriptions or provide comparisons, making online shopping more accessible to users with visual impairments.

Education and e-learning

Conversational AI is changing how students of all ages experience e-learning, creating interactive and accessible learning environments. From homework assistance to instant translation, these agents are becoming better than ever at assisting students with their educational needs.

Virtual tutoring and homework assistance

AI tutors provide students with real-time support, helping them understand complex topics or complete assignments. For instance, students struggling with algebra can interact with an AI assistant for step-by-step explanations.

Real-time language translation

For classrooms with international students, conversational AI provides instant translation services, breaking down language barriers the moment they arise. Teachers can use AI tools to translate lessons or instructions into multiple languages, ensuring all students stay engaged.

Interactive learning experiences

AI systems create realistic learning environments where students can ask questions and receive immediate answers. For example, history students can interact with an AI assistant to explore detailed timelines or analyze historical events, allowing them to remain engaged outside the classroom. 

Banking and finance 

This wouldn’t be a complete article about real-time conversational AI if we didn’t touch on finance, one of the most sensitive industries. While this may seem surprising at first, AI agents have advanced enough to tackle issues like security and financial guidance, assisting users in real-time when human agents are occupied or understaffed. 

Fraud detection and alerts

AI systems monitor account activity in real-time and alert users to potential fraud. If unusual spending is detected, an AI assistant can notify the customer immediately and provide steps to secure their account.

Instant financial guidance

Customers can receive real-time advice on budgeting, investing, or loan applications. For instance, an AI chatbot might analyze a user’s spending habits and suggest ways to save money or invest in low-risk portfolios.

Real-time transaction assistance

Conversational AI lets users complete transactions instantly, from transferring funds to paying bills. By integrating with mobile banking apps, these systems provide a smooth experience across all devices. 

How ElevenLabs supports real-time conversational AI

Lifelike voice interactions are essential for many real-time conversational AI applications, and ElevenLabs excels in this area through its advanced text to speech capabilities. 

Here are three ways organizations can benefit from the platform’s realistic and timely speech output: 

Natural, engaging customer interactions: Businesses can use ElevenLabs to create AI voices that sound human, improving the quality of voice-based communication.

Multilingual communication: With support for multiple languages, ElevenLabs helps global companies provide inclusive, real-time support.

Accessibility in education and healthcare: By integrating ElevenLabs’ text to speech technology, organizations can offer voice-enabled solutions for visually impaired users or those who prefer auditory engagement.

For example, a retail business might use ElevenLabs to enhance its voice assistant, ensuring customers enjoy a natural and intuitive shopping experience. Similarly, a healthcare provider can rely on ElevenLabs to provide important updates to patients in a clear and gentle voice.

Interested in improving your own agent’s text to speech output? 

Challenges in deploying real-time conversational AI

Despite its advantages, implementing real-time AI systems comes with challenges that organizations should remain aware of: 

Maintaining data privacy

Sensitive information, such as health data or financial transactions, is often involved in real-time interactions. Therefore, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and protecting user data is crucial.

Avoiding response errors

The speed of real-time AI systems must be matched by accuracy. Businesses must regularly update and train their AI models to minimize errors and maintain customer trust.

Balancing automation and human intervention

Not all situations can be resolved by AI alone. Companies must develop systems that enable quick transitions to human agents when complex or emotional scenarios arise.

Final thoughts

The verdict is on conversational AI is in.

It’s safe to say that real-time conversational AI technology is redefining how industries approach customer engagement, problem-solving, and accessibility. By offering instant, intelligent responses, these systems improve efficiency while creating meaningful user experiences in the process. 

Advanced speech synthesis platforms like ElevenLabs play a key role in furthering real-time applications of conversational AI. They provide developers with TTS outputs that sound natural and human-like. 

As conversational AI continues to evolve, its impact will only grow, shaping how we live, work, and communicate with machines for years to come. That said, there are also risks to the rewards. Businesses must address challenges like data security and accuracy to maximize the potential of this technology.