Zoom has announced a significant expansion of its artificial intelligence capabilities, introducing a range of new products at its Zoomtopia conference. The updates, which include an upgraded cross-platform AI assistant and photorealistic avatars, are designed to enhance user productivity and position the company to compete more effectively against specialized AI meeting startups and established productivity suites.
An AI Companion For All Meetings
One of the most significant upgrades is to the Zoom AI Companion, which will now function across different meeting applications, including Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. This move extends its utility beyond the Zoom ecosystem, allowing it to record, transcribe, and summarize meetings regardless of the platform. The feature will also support note-taking for in-person meetings, directly challenging competitors like Otter.ai and Fireflies.ai. Additionally, the AI Companion will now allow users to jot down personal notes during a meeting, which the AI can later expand and structure.
Smarter Scheduling and Preparation
Zoom is also integrating AI more deeply into its calendar and scheduling functions. The AI Companion can now analyze attendees’ availability to find suitable meeting slots automatically. A new “free up my time” feature will even analyze a user’s schedule and suggest meetings that could potentially be skipped. To improve meeting effectiveness, the platform will also provide proactive recommendations, such as suggesting tasks and agenda items to help users prepare.
Introducing Photorealistic Avatars
The company is set to roll out AI-powered photorealistic avatars that mimic a user’s actions and expressions on video. Pitched as a solution for moments when a user is not “camera-ready,” the feature allows for a more personal presence without being on camera. This innovation, however, introduces potential deepfake risks, which may prompt corporate IT departments to carefully manage its deployment. The avatars are expected to be available to users by the end of the year.
Relevance For The MENA Workplace
These advanced AI tools are particularly relevant for the rapidly evolving business landscape in the MENA region. With the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work models in hubs like Dubai, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi, tools that enhance productivity and collaboration are in high demand. Features like the cross-platform AI assistant and smart scheduling can help streamline operations for fast-growing startups and established enterprises alike. Furthermore, new AI-powered live translation capabilities can break down language barriers in the region’s diverse, multilingual business environment, fostering more effective communication and collaboration.
About Zoom
Zoom is a communications technology company that provides videotelephony and online chat services through a cloud-based peer-to-peer software platform. It is used for teleconferencing, telecommuting, distance education, and social relations. Its platform offers video meetings, voice, webinars, and chat across desktops, phones, mobile devices, and conference room systems.
Source: TechCrunch
