Conversational AI combines several technologies: speech recognition to turn spoken words into text, a language model to interpret meaning and decide what to say, and speech synthesis to reply aloud. In recruiting it can answer applicant questions about a role, collect application details through chat, book interviews or run a structured screening interview by phone. Modern systems cope with varied phrasing rather than needing exact keywords.
Done well, it lets candidates apply and get answers at any hour, in a format that feels closer to talking to a person than filling in a form. Weak systems frustrate people by misunderstanding answers or going round in circles. Good practice is to be open that candidates are talking to AI, keep a clear route to a human, test with real candidates and record conversations so they can be reviewed.