## The setup
4,000 leads split 50/50. Same script, same offer, same CRM. One bucket got dialed by an AI voice agent on Twilio + ElevenLabs, the other by three full-time SDRs.
## The numbers
| Metric | AI agent | Human SDRs |
|---|---|---|
| Calls placed | 2,000 | 1,140 |
| Connect rate | 31% | 38% |
| Booked meetings | 84 | 71 |
| Cost per meeting | €11 | €184 |
| Show rate | 62% | 71% |
## What the AI did better
- Never skipped a follow-up
- Worked evenings and weekends without complaint
- Logged every call automatically
- Stayed perfectly on script even on call #347
## Where humans still win
- Anything past the discovery question
- Reading hesitation in someone's voice
- Negotiating around objections that aren't in the script
- Building real rapport with high-ACV prospects
## The takeaway
AI voice is not replacing SDRs — it's replacing the **first 90 seconds** of an SDR's job. Use it to qualify and book, then hand warm meetings to humans who can close.