Revolutionizing Communication: Zoom Unveils AI Companion 2.0 and Custom Avatars at Zoomtopia 2024

Zoom recently revealed exciting updates to its platform during its annual Zoomtopia event. Among these updates, the introduction of the AI Companion 2.0 stands out, marking a significant evolution in its capabilities. This enhanced AI assistant can now perform a wider array of functions and is integrated across Zoom Workplace, enabling access to tools like Zoom Mail and Zoom Tasks. Additionally, users can look forward to the rollout of personalized AI avatars, allowing them to create digital representations of themselves that can communicate in their voice.

The company unveiled its revamped AI assistant dedicated to the Zoom Workplace environment. This new version bears similarities to existing virtual assistants found in mobile devices and AI-based computers. The AI Companion serves as a key resource for users, facilitating functions such as document summarization and text generation, among others.

With the enhanced AI assistant, users on the Workplace platform can now benefit from prompt suggestions conveniently located in the side panel of all Zoom interfaces. There is also a feature that connects external applications such as Gmail and Microsoft Outlook, broadening the information scope. The assistant has the ability to summarize unread messages from Zoom Team Chats and recap email discussions within Zoom Mail.

During Zoom meetings, the AI assistant has gained the capability to answer inquiries that go beyond the immediate discussion by conducting web searches. This allows participants to query general knowledge and topical information seamlessly. Additionally, the AI Companion 2.0 remains capable of addressing inquiries related to the meeting’s content even after the session concludes. Conversations with the AI can also be revisited following the meeting.

Moreover, the launch of Custom avatars for Zoom Clips has generated interest. This feature enables users to create an avatar by recording a video clip that will be transformed by AI into a digital likeness. The resulting avatar is designed to show only the upper body, including the head, shoulders, and arms. Users can also provide a text script for the avatar, allowing it to articulate and lip-sync accordingly.

Although this feature was highlighted at the Zoomtopia event, it is anticipated that it won't be accessible to users until 2025.