SMS Automation and Conversational AI: Scale Customer Support & Campaigns with Invent, Twilio, and Telnyx (2026)

TL;DR

Texting is the top mobile activity for 83% of consumers in the US, and it's growing.
Invent’s native integrations for Twilio and Telnyx let you instantly connect AI-powered assistants to SMS channels.
Reach any customer, enable automated responses, and support across devices.
Perfect for businesses and professionals wanting to scale messaging, support, campaigns, and customer engagement.

Chart from SimpleTexting showing the rapid growth in consumers opting in to receive texts from businesses. By 2025, 84% of consumers are opted in, up from 62% in 2021.

Why SMS automation and conversational AI matter

Efficient, accessible communication sets modern businesses apart. Whether your customers use smartphones or basic phones, SMS messaging automation ensures reliable support and engagement.

With Invent’s Twilio and Telnyx integrations, you can automate SMS conversations using AI, send, receive, and manage texts without manual effort.

Customers experience natural, real-time chat and notifications directly through SMS, ideal for appointment reminders, campaign outreach, customer support, and more.

This guide explores real-world use cases, answers top FAQs, and outlines how to launch your automated SMS communication on Invent.

Top use cases that motivates customers to opt in to texts from a business

Instant SMS messaging and notifications

Automatically send appointment reminders, alerts, or confirmations.
- AI Assistant replies and routes messages intelligently (you deciden when human intervention is needed).

Automated two-way support via SMS

Customer service and Support.
- Customers reply to SMS; the AI Assistant answers FAQs, gathers information, or escalates to a team if needed.

Marketing campaigns and outreach

Discounts, promotions and sales alerts.
- Schedule and broadcast campaign messages; monitor responses and engagement through Invent’s dashboard.

Programmable workflows across channels

Billing and collections, customer satisfaction surveys and more.
- Seamlessly integrate with WhatsApp, voice, or other messaging integrations as your business grows.

Infographic from SimpleTexting showing top reasons why consumers opt in to receive texts from businesses. Leading use cases: appointment/reminder texts (76%), shipment tracking (68%), and discounts/promotions (58%) motivate the most respondents.

Advantages of integrating conversational AI on SMS for a better Customer Experience

Reaches any mobile phone user, no smartphone or internet required
Provides 24/7 instant customer support and answers
Delivers personalized, context-aware automated responses
Automates repetitive tasks like confirmations, reminders, and FAQs
Achieves higher open and response rates than email or apps
Scales to support thousands of simultaneous conversations
Logs every interaction for data, analytics, and campaign insights
Enables seamless handoff and integration with other channels (WhatsApp, web, etc.)
Reduces workload on staff and speeds up response times
Enhances customer experience and satisfaction
Cloud-based AI communication platforms for SMS and messaging have flexible pricing and instant setup

If you want to learn more about the importance of Conversational AI for Businesses, read our guide: "How to Build a Conversational Self-Service Support Portal: 2026 Industry Guide for Small Businesses"

How to set up Twilio or Telnyx channels in Invent

Select your Channel
- Choose Twilio or Telnyx from Invent’s Channels section.
Connect Your Account
- Enter your provider credentials (API keys, auth tokens, and phone numbers).
Configure Your Actions
- Add Actions for your use case if needed.
Create Your Chat Flow
- Design your chatbot’s Instructions and handle common scenarios seamlessly in natural language.
Test Your Experience
- Use the playground or send test messages to verify everything is working.
- Send test messages from Twilio or Telnyx number to confirm correct behavior.
Launch and Share
- Share your number online, in stores, or use for campaigns.

Invent interface of a web interface titled “Alice,” with a focus on the “Channels” tab. It lists Twilio and Telnyx integrations. Both display icons and descriptions: “Use Twilio/Telnyx to send and receive SMS and MMS. Soon: Calls and RCS,” with a “Connect” button next to each. Interface has a soft pink and purple gradient background.

Invent interface for managing communication channels in an assistant named "Alice." Options are available to connect Twilio or Telnyx for sending and receiving SMS and MMS, with support for Calls and RCS listed as coming soon.

FAQs

Can I use Invent for SMS automation with Twilio and Telnyx?

Yes, Invent gives you no-code integration with Twilio and Telnyx via our Channels. Connect your credentials, configure your flows, and your AI-powered SMS assistant is live, no development or extra tools needed.

How does pricing work for SMS and AI usage?

Pricing depends on two parts:

Channel Provider: Fees for sending/receiving SMS, MMS, and (soon) voice are set by your chosen provider, e.g., Twilio or Telnyx. Rates may vary by country, volume, and service type.
AI on Invent: Charges depend on the AI model you select (e.g., GPT-3.5, GPT-4, Claude, etc.). Features like image reading or audio transcription incur higher costs. See your Invent dashboard our cost calculator for more details.

What are the best platforms for SMS automation in small businesses?

Top choices include Invent (with AI-powered flows), Twilio, Telnyx, and other cloud platforms like Plivo or Vonage. Invent stands out by combining AI, easy workflows, and multi-channel reach.

Which are the top SMS automation tools for marketing campaigns?

For marketing, Invent lets you create automated campaigns with personalized flows; Twilio Segment and Telnyx Campaigns also offer robust APIs and analytics for bulk or triggered messaging.

How do SMS automation services compare for customer support?

Invent’s instant AI responses and handoff capabilities turn SMS into a smart support channel. While Twilio and Telnyx provide the infrastructure, Invent layers on 24/7 AI replies, FAQ support, and conversation history, all managed in one dashboard.

Where can I buy SMS automation software with a free trial?

Invent offers a free credits with access to all major channels (including SMS), so you can build, test, and launch risk-free. Most providers like Twilio and Telnyx also have free credit or trial tiers for messaging.

What are the pricing models for SMS automation providers?

Most providers use pay-as-you-go (per message sent/received) or subscription bundles for higher volumes. Extra services like dedicated numbers, short codes, or MMS, may have separate fees. For advanced AI features, Invent pricing is based on usage and model.

What are the best SMS automation solutions for real estate agents?

Invent helps agents automate appointment reminders, open house alerts, client follow-ups, and instant info responses, all via SMS. Integration with CRM and workflow tools is also available.

What are the best AI platforms for programmable voice and messaging solutions?

Invent offers AI-driven messaging (SMS, WhatsApp, and more), with programmable voice and call support coming soon via Twilio and Telnyx. These platforms, combined with Invent, provide flexible APIs, AI chatbots, and omnichannel automation.

What are the pricing models for cloud-based AI communication platforms?

Cloud AI platforms like Invent typically charge based on:

AI usage (number of conversations, tokens, model type, extras like image/audio processing)
Provider channel fees (SMS, voice, etc.)

Enterprise plans may include SLAs, premium support, or advanced analytics.

Can Twilio and Telnyx integrations handle both SMS and MMS? What about calls or RCS?

Currently, Invent supports sending and receiving SMS and MMS on both providers. Support for calls and RCS (Rich Communication Services) will be available soon, watch the Invent Changelog for updates!

Screenshot of an SMS chat on a mobile phone between a customer and a business named Italiannis (pizza icon shown). Conversation: Customer: “Hey! I want 3 pizzas, the usual.” Business: “Got it, same address?” Customer: “Yes, thanks” Business: “Your order will be there in 45 minutes” Customer: “Perfect!”

Example of an automated SMS conversation between a customer and a pizza restaurant. The customer places an order, the business confirms the address, shares the delivery time, and the customer confirms, all via text message.

Start automating SMS and AI messaging today

Make SMS support and engagement effortless. Save time, boost efficiency, and delight your customers with Invent’s powerful Twilio and Telnyx integrations.

Let conversational AI automate your messaging so you can focus on growth and service.

Ready to launch? Start building your AI SMS Assistant today.