Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News
      Fewer stores, more Bash: TFG's online pivot gathers pace

      Fewer stores, more Bash: TFG’s online pivot gathers pace

      6 November 2026
      Tesla pulls the plug on the Cybertruck

      Tesla pulls the plug on the Cybertruck

      6 November 2026
      AA boss gives South Africa's car industry five years - Bobby Ramagwede

      AA boss gives South Africa’s car industry five years

      6 November 2026
      AI's black box may not be so black after all

      AI’s black box may not be so black after all

      6 November 2026
      Big wind farms drive a surge in private power registrations

      Big wind farms drive a surge in private power registrations

      6 November 2026
    • World
      John Ternus faces first big test as Apple CEO - John Ternus

      John Ternus faces first big test as Apple CEO

      2 November 2026
      Alleged Israeli spy company heavily targeted Starlink users

      How online ads were used to hunt Starlink users

      28 October 2026
      Anthropic's IPO stands alone

      Anthropic’s IPO stands alone

      23 October 2026
      PHP flaws trigger global scramble as hackers pounce

      PHP flaws trigger global scramble as hackers pounce

      22 October 2026
      OpenAI turns the tables on Apple in trade secrets fight

      OpenAI turns the tables on Apple in trade secrets fight

      15 October 2026
    • In-depth
      Ducking hell: inside Apple's hidden list of words the iPhone won't suggest

      Ducking hell: inside Apple’s hidden list of words the iPhone won’t suggest

      6 November 2026
      Why investors are souring on Netflix

      Why investors are souring on Netflix

      22 October 2026

      10 days that changed the course of AI

      21 September 2026
      Meta to the AI industry: slow down without us - Mark Zuckerberg

      Meta to the AI industry: slow down without us

      16 September 2026
      Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis. Image: John Sears

      The plan to stop AI from breaking the world

      16 July 2026
    • TCS
      TCS+ | Old Mutual's Celiwe Ross on leading people through AI - Old Mutual

      TCS+ | Old Mutual’s Celiwe Ross on leading people through AI

      6 November 2026
      TCS+ | How the Apple ecosystem drives productivity for SMEs - Sudesh Pillay iStore and Kevin McLennan

      TCS+ | How the Apple ecosystem drives productivity for SMEs

      6 November 2026
      TCS+ | Vox on AI, data rules and omnichannel communication for SMEs

      TCS+ | Vox on AI, data rules and omnichannel communication for SMEs

      26 October 2026
      TCS | The Cape Town firm quietly connecting Eskom, Pep and 6 000 ATMs - Réan van Niekerk, Metacom

      TCS | The Cape Town firm quietly connecting Eskom, Pep and 6 000 ATMs

      23 October 2026
      TCS+ | Boards are underestimating the cost of a cyberattack, says Arctic Wolf - Jason Oehley and Andre Den Hond

      TCS+ | Boards are underestimating the cost of a cyberattack, says Arctic Wolf

      22 October 2026
    • Opinion
      Icasa's Sim rules need a privacy backstop - Lloyd Matthew and Heinz Vollmer

      Icasa’s Sim rules need a privacy backstop

      5 November 2026
      AI's boardroom honeymoon is over - Gary Stocks

      AI’s boardroom honeymoon is over

      22 October 2026
      Before South Africa licenses Starlink, it should look at Ukraine - Duncan McLeod

      Before South Africa licenses Starlink, it should look at Ukraine

      21 October 2026
      Nonkqubela Thathakahle Jordan-Dyani

      Why cybersecurity is now a national security issue for South Africa

      15 October 2026
      When a machine can choose, who does it become? Fanie van Rooyen

      When a machine can choose, who does it become?

      9 October 2026
    • Company News
      • 1Stream
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • Ascent Technology
      • AvertITD
      • BBD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CM.com
      • Contactable
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • HOSTAFRICA
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • IQbusiness
      • Iris Network Systems
      • Kaspersky
      • LSD Open
      • Mitel
      • NEC XON
      • Netstar
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Publishared
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Telviva
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Vodacom Business
      • Vox
      • Wipro
      • Workday
      • XLink
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech and payments
      • HealthTech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Policy and regulation
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Satellite communications
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
      • Watts & Wheels
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » Sections » Contact centres and CX » The gap between AI hype and CX reality is widening

    The gap between AI hype and CX reality is widening

    Promoted | A new CallMiner report shows AI adoption is surging in tech. Yet manual CX processes continue to expand rapidly.
    By CallMiner26 February 2026
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    Get breaking news on WhatsApp

    The gap between AI hype and CX reality is widening CallMiner

    Tech companies are under intense pressure. Renewals are harder to secure, customers expect instant solutions and AI-native competitors are moving fast.

    Customer experience and customer success teams are tackling more complex interactions than ever – whilst being told to do more with less.

    Yet, according to the latest CallMiner CX Landscape Report, a paradox is emerging: AI adoption is surging, but manual processes in CX are actually increasing.

    AI adoption is rising – but readiness isn’t

    Eighty-one percent of tech organisations have implemented AI in some form, up from 58% last year. Nearly all see it as critical for both CX and employee performance.

    However, 70% admit they’re using AI without mature governance structures. Without strong frameworks to ensure data quality, accuracy and compliance, execution lags behind intent.

    Manual CX analysis is still the norm

    Surprisingly, manual CX data analysis has increased 17% year on year, while automated analysis has fallen. This slows down:

    • Real-time agent assistance
    • Predictive churn detection
    • Faster product issue identification

    Despite having advanced tools, many teams still struggle with adoption, integration and aligning data across departments.

    Survey-heavy feedback creates blind spots

    Most tech companies still rely on solicited feedback, Net Promoter Scores, CSAT (customer satisfaction score) and structured surveys, often overlooking unsolicited data from calls, chats, reviews and social media – early warning signs that could prevent churn. Leaders see potential in pairing smarter, personalised surveys with these unsolicited signals.

    How AI is helping today

    Even with these challenges, AI is already delivering value. The top use cases include:

    • Enabling self-service support to resolve issues faster;
    • Improving agent training and coaching; and
    • Personalising customer outreach.

    Encouragingly, nine in ten leaders say they can already measure ROI from AI.

    AI is accelerating CX for tech companies, so why are manual processes still rising?

    Governance, risk and employee experience are key

    Concerns persist over siloed data, compliance risks and whether AI can capture nuance in customer interactions. Governance structures often lack clear accountability and risk management.

    Leaders also recognise that employee experience directly influences CX. Real-time guidance, training and AI-powered performance scoring can free managers from manual review and enable tailored coaching at scale.

    The path forward

    The most effective organisations are:

    • Automating CX insights with conversation intelligence;
    • Enhancing coaching via AI scoring and real-time tools;
    • Combining solicited and unsolicited feedback for a complete customer view; and
    • Sharing insights across all customer-facing teams.

    AI can help tech companies work faster and smarter – but only with strong governance, robust data foundations and a commitment to empowering employees.

    The leaders who close the gap between AI ambition and operational readiness will be the ones delivering faster, smarter, and more human customer experiences.

    Learn more

    Tech sector leads in AI investment, yet many still rely on manual analysis, solicited feedback, and disconnected systems. Learn more by downloading Tech Leads in AI Adoption, Lags in Turning CX Data into Action.

    • Read more articles by CallMiner on TechCentral
    • This promoted content was paid for by the party concerned
    Add TechCentral as a preferred source on GoogleFollow TechCentral on Google NewsGet breaking news on WhatsApp


    CallMiner CallMiner AI
    WhatsApp YouTube
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleThe AI-driven talent and operating model transformation
    Next Article Lithium prices soar after Zimbabwe suspends exports

    Related Posts

    Why customers still feel unheard when automation works exactly as designed - CallMiner

    Why customers still feel unheard when automation works exactly as designed

    28 October 2026
    The CX automation boom has an intelligence gap - CallMiner

    The CX automation boom has an intelligence gap

    28 September 2026
    The AI-led industrial revolution has begun - CallMiner Bruce McMahon

    The AI-led industrial revolution has begun

    20 July 2026
    Company News
    XLink brings dual-network resilience to eSim

    XLink brings dual-network resilience to eSim

    6 November 2026
    CambriLearn parents can now ask AI whether their child went to class

    CambriLearn parents can now ask AI whether their child went to class

    6 November 2026
    'There was hunger for alternatives': PSET launches at Purcon 2026 - Ebenezer Smith

    ‘There was hunger for alternatives’: PSET launches at Purcon 2026

    6 November 2026
    Opinion
    Icasa's Sim rules need a privacy backstop - Lloyd Matthew and Heinz Vollmer

    Icasa’s Sim rules need a privacy backstop

    5 November 2026
    AI's boardroom honeymoon is over - Gary Stocks

    AI’s boardroom honeymoon is over

    22 October 2026
    Before South Africa licenses Starlink, it should look at Ukraine - Duncan McLeod

    Before South Africa licenses Starlink, it should look at Ukraine

    21 October 2026

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Latest Posts
    Fewer stores, more Bash: TFG's online pivot gathers pace

    Fewer stores, more Bash: TFG’s online pivot gathers pace

    6 November 2026
    Tesla pulls the plug on the Cybertruck

    Tesla pulls the plug on the Cybertruck

    6 November 2026
    AA boss gives South Africa's car industry five years - Bobby Ramagwede

    AA boss gives South Africa’s car industry five years

    6 November 2026
    AI's black box may not be so black after all

    AI’s black box may not be so black after all

    6 November 2026
    © 2009 - 2026 NewsCentral Media
    Built and maintained by Chronon
    • Cookie policy (ZA)
    • TechCentral – privacy and Popia

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Manage consent

    TechCentral uses cookies to enhance its offerings. Consenting to these technologies allows us to serve you better. Not consenting or withdrawing consent may adversely affect certain features and functions of the website.

    Functional Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    • Manage options
    • Manage services
    • Manage {vendor_count} vendors
    • Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    • {title}
    • {title}
    • {title}
    🇿🇦 Sign up to the TechCentral newsletter