Two University of Melbourne PhD researchers, Will Bodewes and Nisal Ranasinghe, are set to join the world’s largest start-up accelerator program in Silicon Valley to further develop their innovative artificial intelligence (AI) phone receptionist, capable of handling up to one million calls simultaneously.
According to the University of Melourne Alumni News, their AI start-up, Phonely, has secured a substantial US$500,000 (AUD$749,720) investment from the prestigious Silicon Valley startup accelerator, Y Combinator.
Both researchers from Professor Saman Halgamuge’s AI group at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Bodewes and Ranasinghe started Phonely nine months ago to address a significant market need for lifelike phone support. The idea was sparked by Bodewes’ father’s difficulty in hiring staff for his veterinary clinic, resulting in missed calls and revenue.
“Phonely solves a real-world problem using advanced AI,” Bodewes explained. “With Nisal’s expertise, we’ve developed technology that ensures accurate responses to every phone call.”
Ranasinghe added, “Training large language models to prevent errors and integrate with scheduling software was challenging, but necessary for real-time performance.”
Phonely uses sophisticated speech-to-text and text-to-speech technologies to provide immediate support, reducing wait times for callers. The startup, now offering a free trial on its website, aims to help small businesses optimise their resources.
Y Combinator will provide Phonely with crucial financial backing, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Bodewes and Ranasinghe look forward to learning from industry leaders and showcasing Phonely to potential clients.
“We’re eager to connect with mentors and clients in Silicon Valley,” Ranasinghe said. “This will help us refine our product with expert feedback.”
Addressing concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, Bodewes emphasiaed that Phonely aims to enhance efficiency, allowing staff to take on more fulfilling roles rather than eliminating jobs. “We want Phonely to be a positive force, creating opportunities for better work,” he said.
Ranasinghe added, “AI should support human productivity, not replace it. Our program helps businesses create customised AI agents for individualiaed customer support.”
Balancing their PhDs and Phonely has been challenging, but support from their supervisor, Professor Halgamuge, has been invaluable. “His encouragement has allowed us to manage both academic and entrepreneurial demands,” Ranasinghe said.
Bodewes and Ranasinghe are excited about the future. “Taking this leap of faith has shown us that committing to your vision can lead to incredible achievements. Just go for it—you might surprise yourself,” Bodewes said.
Phonely’s success not only aims to revolutionise customer service but also exemplifies the potential when academic research meets entrepreneurial drive.
(Source: The University of Melbourne, Alumni News)
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Melbourne PhD researchers Will Bodewes & Nisal Ranasinghe's AI start-up, Phonely, joins Y Combinator, securing a US$500,000 investment to develop their AI phone receptionist, revolutionising customer service. 📞🤖🎓💡 #TheIndianSun https://t.co/3uYHBmRoCU
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) July 17, 2024
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
