Zoom has taken another step forward in the transformation of the digital workplace with the unveiling of new AI-based tools during its annual Zoomtopia 2024 event . Key innovations include the introduction of personalized AI avatars and the updated AI Companion 2.0 virtual assistant, which aim to revolutionize productivity and automation in the workplace.
Zoom is preparing to launch personalized digital avatars that will be able to assist and speak for users during meetings. This feature, which is part of the new AI Companion add-on, requires users to record an initial video to generate an avatar that reflects their appearance and voice. In this way, users will be able to compose messages that their avatars will transmit in meetings, thus avoiding the need to be present at every meeting.
The functionality will be compatible with the Zoom Clips tool, which allows users to record short updates for colleagues. This initiative aims to reduce the burden of having to attend multiple meetings by allowing repetitive tasks to be delegated to a “digital twin”. To deal with the risks of misuse, such as the creation of deepfakes, Zoom has implemented advanced authentication and watermarking to protect the integrity of the technology.
The personalized avatars will be available via the paid AI Companion add-on, at an additional cost of US$12 per month. Users with a paid subscription will also be able to access generic avatars and AI voices at no extra cost. Eric Yuan, Zoom's CEO, explained that the aim is to allow users to send a digital version of themselves to meetings so that they can concentrate on other activities.
AI Companion 2.0
AI Companion 2.0 is the new version of Zoom's virtual assistant, also presented during Zoomtopia 2024. This update aims to reduce the burden of administrative and repetitive tasks, allowing users to focus on more relevant tasks. AI Companion 2.0 can integrate with productivity applications such as Zendesk, Asana and Jira, perform web searches in real time and make decisions based on the context of meetings and documents.
The assistant offers a side panel in Zoom Workplace that allows you to interact with the AI in real time, whether in meetings, emails or chats. This facilitates the automatic generation of summaries and instant responses, significantly improving the efficiency of communication and collaboration. According to Smita Hashim, Zoom's product manager, the aim of AI Companion is “to allow users to focus on what's important and leave the rest to the AI”.
Personalization
Another important innovation is the ability to customize AI Companion via the Zoom AI Studio add-on. This add-on allows users to create personalized dictionaries, connect the AI with tools such as ServiceNow and delegate tasks to the AI to act on the user's behalf. In addition, AI Companion provides “coaching” to users, offering recommendations for improving communication in meetings, with the aim of optimizing efficiency and personal and professional development.
Although the new AI Companion features and AI avatars open up many opportunities, Zoom emphasized that security and authenticity are key, using watermarking and authentication measures to ensure the legitimacy of avatars.
