How to Write an AI Call Agent Script: Step-by-Step Guide

AI voice agents now sound indistinguishable from humans. With conversational AI technology achieving sub-100 millisecond latency and natural speech patterns, the difference between an AI caller and a human caller has become nearly impossible to detect.

But here's what most people get wrong: they take scripts written for human SDRs and assume they'll work for AI. They don't. AI call agent scripts require fundamentally different thinking, structure and flow. The conversation tree matters more than the perfect wording.

This guide shows you how to write scripts that leverage AI's unique capabilities while knowing exactly when to hand off to humans. You'll learn the six essential components every AI call script needs and a step-by-step process to create your first one.

Key Takeaways

• Acknowledge it is AI: In the spirit of Ethical Prospecting and to be transparent with the prospect, the AI Call agent must acknowledge right away that it is AI and not a real human that is calling.
• The first 10-15 seconds determine success: Your opener must acknowledge the interruption and earn permission to continue immediately
• AI scripts need branching logic, not linear dialogue: Unlike human scripts, AI agents need multiple response paths for every possible prospect reaction
• Natural objection handling requires conversation trees: Plan 3-5 response branches for each common objection, not single rebuttals
• TCPA compliance must be built into the script: Required disclosures and human handoff triggers should be script elements, not afterthoughts

Why AI Call Agent Scripts Are Different

Most cold calling guides focus on scripts designed for human salespeople. These scripts assume a linear conversation flow: opener, pitch, handle objection, close. Human SDRs naturally adapt, improvise and read subtle cues.

AI agents work differently. They excel at consistency, never forget a follow-up and can call 50 prospects while your team is in a meeting. But they need explicit instructions for every conversation branch.

Human Scripts vs. AI Scripts

Human scripts are typically linear: a suggested path from introduction to close with some objection responses. The rep fills in gaps with intuition.

AI scripts must be branching: a decision tree covering every response path. If a prospect says "I'm not interested," the AI needs specific instructions. If they say "Send me an email instead," that's a different branch. "Who is this?" requires another response.

The ultimate guide to AI cold calling covers the broader strategy. This article focuses specifically on script structure.

What Makes AI Calling Sound Natural

Modern conversational AI, like the ElevenLabs technology that powers AvairAI's AI Call Agent, processes audio in real time. The AI doesn't wait for a transcript; it hears tone and intent, filters background noise and responds naturally.

This means your script doesn't need to sound robotic. In fact, it shouldn't. The AI will deliver whatever you write with natural speech patterns. Your job is to write dialogue that sounds like a human would say it, then structure the branching logic the AI needs.

The 6 Essential Components of an AI Call Script

Every effective AI call agent script contains these six elements. Miss one and your calls will underperform or create compliance risk.

1. The Attention-Grabbing Opener (First 10-15 Seconds)

Research from Hyperbound shows that the first 10-15 seconds determine whether a prospect engages or hangs up. Your opener must accomplish three things immediately:

Acknowledge the interruption: "Hi [Name], I know I'm catching you out of the blue..."

Establish relevance quickly: "... I'm reaching out because [specific reason related to their role or company]."

Earn permission to continue: "Do you have 30 seconds so I can tell you why I called?"

Also it must mention that it is an AI and not a human that is calling. This is very important to not surprise the prospect. Notice what's missing: lengthy introductions about your company. The opener isn't about you. It's about earning the next 30 seconds.

Example opener template:

"Hi Caleb, this is Olivia, an AI Agent, calling on behalf of [Company]. I know you're busy, but I'm reaching out because we've helped [similar companies/roles] with [specific problem]. Is this a good time for a quick 30-second explanation?"

2. The Value Proposition Statement

Once you have permission to continue, deliver your value proposition in under 20 seconds. This should include:

• The problem you solve: Be specific to their industry or role
• The benefit: What outcome do they get?
• Social proof: Who else has achieved this result?

Example structure:

"We help [role] at [company type] [achieve specific outcome]. Companies like [named customer] have [specific result]. The reason I'm calling is to see if this is something that would be valuable for [prospect's company]."

Keep it short. The goal isn't to close on this call. It's to earn a meeting.

3. Qualification Questions

After delivering value, ask questions that qualify the prospect and spark genuine conversation. These should be open-ended, not yes/no questions that feel like a survey.

Avoid: "Are you interested in improving your lead generation?"

Use instead: "What's the biggest challenge your team faces with [relevant pain point] right now?"

For AI scripts, build branching logic based on response types:

• If they mention a relevant pain point → branch to relevant benefit
• If they say no challenges → branch to industry trend or competitive angle
• If they deflect or seem rushed → branch to meeting request

4. Objection Handling Branches

This is where AI scripts diverge most from human scripts. A human rep handles objections intuitively. An AI agent needs explicit response paths.

For each common objection, create 2-3 response options:

Objection: "I'm not interested"

• Response A (acknowledge and pivot): "I completely understand. Just curious, is that because you already have a solution in place, or because this isn't a priority right now?"
• Response B (value reminder): "I hear you. Before I let you go, would it help if I mentioned that [specific result] is what similar companies have achieved?"
• Response C (graceful exit): "No problem at all. Would it make sense if I sent you a brief email with more details, in case things change?"

Objection: "Send me an email"

• Response A: "I'd be happy to. Just so I can make it relevant, what's the main thing you'd want to see addressed?"
• Response B: "Absolutely. What's the best email to reach you?"

Objection: "How did you get my number?"

• Response: "Your contact information is in our database of [industry] professionals. I'm calling because [value prop reminder]. Is this something worth a quick conversation?"

Plan for at least five common objections with multiple response paths each.

5. The Clear Call-to-Action

Every call should end with a specific next step. Don't leave it vague. Your CTA should be:

• Specific: Propose an exact day and time
• Time-bound: Create mild urgency
• Alternative-ready: Have a backup if the first option is declined

Primary CTA: "I'd love to show you how this works. Do you have 15 minutes this Thursday at 2pm, or would Friday morning work better?"

If declined: "I understand. Would it make sense for me to send you a calendar link so you can pick a time that works?"

If still declined: "No problem. I'll follow up with an email that includes some results from companies like yours. Thanks for your time today."

6. Compliance and Handoff Triggers

For AI calling, TCPA compliance must be built into the script structure, not added as an afterthought.

Required elements:

• AI disclosure: "This call may be recorded for quality purposes" or similar required disclosure
• Company identification: Clear statement of who is calling
• Opt-out honoring: Immediate response to "take me off your list"

Human handoff triggers:

Build in conditions where the AI should transfer to a human:

• Prospect requests to speak with a person
• High-value qualification signals
• Complex questions beyond the AI's knowledge base
• Negative sentiment detection

AvairAI's AI Call Agent handles these transitions automatically, but your script should define when handoffs occur.

Step-by-Step: Writing Your First AI Call Script

Now let's put these components together into a practical process.

Step 1: Define Your Objective

Start with the end in mind. What's the single outcome you want from this call? For most B2B outreach, it's booking a meeting. Not closing a deal. Not delivering a full pitch. Just getting the meeting.

Write this objective at the top of your script document. Every element should serve this goal.

Step 2: Map the Conversation Flow

Before writing dialogue, sketch the conversation tree. Start with the opener, then branch for every possible response:

• Prospect engages → Value prop → Qualification → CTA
• Prospect says "not interested" → Objection response → Either re-engage or graceful exit
• Prospect says "send email" → Email capture → Confirm and end
• Prospect hangs up → End call

This map becomes your script's skeleton.

Step 3: Write the Core Dialogue

With the flow mapped, write the actual words. Keep these principles in mind:

• Conversational, not formal: "I'd love to" not "I would be delighted to"
• Short sentences: AI delivers long sentences awkwardly
• Natural pauses: Build in places where the prospect can respond
• Specific details: Names, numbers and company references sound more human

Step 4: Build Objection Branches

Take your five most common objections and write 2-3 response paths for each. Test these by speaking them aloud. Do they sound natural? Would you say this in a real conversation?

Step 5: Add Compliance Elements

Insert required disclosures at the appropriate points. Ensure opt-out requests are honored immediately. Build in human handoff triggers for situations the AI shouldn't handle alone.

Step 6: Test and Iterate

AvairAI offers two test modes: Quick Test (one email plus one AI call to yourself) and Full Test (all 12 touches at compressed intervals). Use these to hear your script in action.

Listen for:

• Awkward phrasing the AI struggles with
• Branches that feel robotic
• Missing response paths
• Compliance gaps

Then iterate. The best AI call scripts go through 5-10 revisions before launch.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overloading with information: Your AI agent isn't delivering a webinar. Keep each section focused and brief.

Ignoring branching logic: A linear script will fail the moment a prospect goes off-script, which is immediately.

Robotic language patterns: Write like you talk. Use contractions. Start sentences with "And" or "But" when appropriate.

Missing compliance elements: TCPA violations cost $500-$1,500 per call. Build compliance in from the start.

No human handoff triggers: Some situations require a human. Define these explicitly.

Conclusion

Writing scripts for AI call agents requires thinking differently than traditional cold calling. You need branching logic, not linear flow. You need multiple objection paths, not single rebuttals. You need compliance built in from day one.

The six essential components, attention-grabbing opener, value proposition, qualification questions, objection branches, clear CTA and compliance triggers, give you the framework. The step-by-step process shows you how to build it.

The best part? You can test your AI call agent on yourself before launching to real prospects. You'll hear exactly what your prospects will experience and iterate until it sounds natural.

Start your first AI calling campaign and experience how Pair Selling puts AI to work on prospecting while you focus on closing deals.