Observe.AI, PolyAI, Botpress, Forethought and a shrinking pack of rivals are racing to replace hold music with software that talks back. The funding says they are winning. The person still stuck on the line is not so sure.
Infobip, PolyAI, Cresta, Botpress and a pack of rivals are pouring hundreds of millions into software that picks up the phone before a person can. Here is who is winning, who got bought, and what it means the next time you dial support.

Observe.AI, Google, Five9 and Forethought are racing to hand your next support call to software. The prize is a customer-service market worth tens of billions - and the human seat on the other end of the line.