The Art of Expression in AI: [Whisper] You Won’t Believe How This AI Talks
Tone, timing, and even a well-placed pause can make or break a conversation. It’s true for human speech — and now, for AI too. In this episode of the Call Agent AI Insights Podcast, founder John Liberatore explores how expressive prompts like [whisper], [excited], and even natural pauses can transform AI conversations from robotic to relatable.
What makes Martin Luther King Jr.’s cadence so powerful? Why do comedians like Jerry Seinfeld hold back just long enough for the laugh to land? And how can we borrow these techniques to make AI customer conversations more natural, engaging, and trustworthy?
This episode is a must-listen for CX leaders, marketers, and anyone who’s tired of stiff, monotone voice assistants.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why tone, timing, and pauses are critical in customer conversations.
How to use expressive prompts like [whisper] and [excited] to shape AI delivery.
Lessons from public speaking, storytelling, and comedy that apply to AI scripts.
Practical tips to make AI agents sound human while staying efficient.
Transcript
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The full transcript and key insights are available below.
John Liberatore (Host, Call Agent AI)
0:00 – The Problem with Scripted Speech
I’m sure we’ve all had that experience when we hear a telemarketer call us. A human telemarketer says:
“Hi, I’m calling about…”
And they’re reading a script. You can hear it. It’s so obvious.
We’re talking about the same thing in AI. Here, we’re going to show you the importance of adding ums, ahs, and pauses to make conversations feel natural.
Welcome to our podcast! Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of human speech expression.
1:10 – Why Tone Matters More Than Words
We’ll show you how a simple tweak — like adding [excited] or [whisper] in brackets — can make AI sound more dynamic, lifelike, and persuasive.
People don’t remember what you said, but they remember how you made them feel.
Tone and inflection often carry more weight than words. That’s why powerful pauses, playful tones, or subtle whispersgrab attention and create connection.
2:11 – Lessons from Martin Luther King Jr.
Take Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech:
“…sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream.”
“…My four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.”
It wasn’t just the words — it was the cadence, rise and fall, and deliberate pacing that gave them power.
2:40 – Comedians and the Power of Pause
Comedy proves the same point.
Jerry Seinfeld explains in his bit “The Size of the Favor” that timing is everything:
Small favor → small pause
“Can you do me a favor? Hand me that pencil.”
Big favor → big pause
“Could you do me a favor…?”
That pause builds anticipation and makes the punchline land harder.
3:11 – Why AI Often Sounds Robotic
So how do we apply this in AI?
People often say: “It didn’t feel natural.”
That’s because real conversations include hesitations, breaths, and pauses. Without them, AI sounds like a commercial: “Hey, it’s Bob, I’m calling about—”
Flat. Robotic. Forgettable.
4:16 – Adding Emotion with Expressive Prompts
In this podcast, we’ll show you how to guide AI with simple expressive prompts:
[excited]→ “We’ve got some really exciting features to share with you!”[whisper]→ “You won’t believe how easy this is…”
These tiny cues transform AI voices into something authentic and human-like.
5:00 – Demo: Expressive Prompts in Action
Let’s take a look inside Call Agent AI.
Without prompts:
“Imagine an AI phone receptionist that answers routine calls in a natural voice and handles everything for you. Pretty cool, right? Do you think this would add value to your dealership?”With prompts added:
[excited]at the start of sentences.[whisper]for emphasis.
The difference is dramatic.
6:52 – Why It Works
With expressive prompts, your AI instantly sounds:
More trustworthy
More engaging
More relatable
More human
That’s the upgrade businesses need.
Closing Thoughts
Next time you’re writing a script — for a person or a digital assistant — think about:
Not just what you say.
But how you say it.
Tone. Timing. Expression.
At Call Agent AI, we give you the tools to bring that to life — one prompt at a time.
Thanks for listening, and as always:
Stay curious. Stay expressive.
I’m John Liberatore. Thanks for joining me.
👉 Visit callagentai.com to transform your calls today.
Don’t forget to subscribe — and catch you next time.
Key Insights
Expression Builds Connection
People don’t just remember what you said — they remember how you made them feel. Tone, cadence, and even silence can carry more weight than words.
Prompts Are the Secret Sauce
Simple cues like [pause], [excited], or [calm] change how the AI delivers a line — turning functional answers into conversations that flow.
Lessons From Great Communicators
From MLK’s speeches to Seinfeld’s stand-up comedy timing, the art of delivery teaches us how to make conversations memorable. AI can adopt the same techniques.
Practical Benefits for Businesses
Expressive AI agents deliver:
Happier customers who feel understood.
More natural customer interactions.
Stronger brand voice and trust across every interaction.
Higher engagement, reduced hang-ups, and better satisfaction.
Reach Out If Interested
👉 Want to make your AI voice agents sound more natural and engaging?
Schedule a personalized demo of Call Agent AI today and see how expressive voice technology can transform your business.
