Zoom has announced exciting new developments this week, aiming to transform the way people work and collaborate. The news was shared during the Zoomtopia 2024 event, where the company unveiled several AI-focused upgrades, with the AI Companion 2.0 and Zoom Tasks standing out as the most significant changes.
The original AI Companion, which was launched in 2023, has now received a major upgrade with a wide range of new features. One of the standout enhancements is the ability for users to engage with the AI assistant through a side panel, making it easily accessible throughout the entire Zoom Workplace. This new version, AI Companion 2.0, promises a more intuitive experience by offering advanced contextual understanding.
What’s New with AI Companion 2.0?
Zoom’s AI Companion 2.0 comes equipped with a smarter, more responsive system that can understand the context of what a user is looking at. Whether it's a document, a conversation, or an ongoing meeting, the AI can analyze and provide intelligent suggestions and responses. What’s more, these responses come with citations, allowing users to trust and verify the information it provides.
One of the most impressive features of AI Companion 2.0 is its ability to pull in information from various platforms across the Workplace. This includes pulling in emails from Microsoft Outlook or Gmail, appointments from Google Calendar, and documents from Microsoft Office or Google Docs—provided the user is logged in. For those who need quick answers or real-time information, the assistant is also connected to the web, allowing it to search for answers or look up data during calls and meetings.
Additionally, the AI assistant can track and complete actions across different tasks and workloads. This feature will make it easier for users to manage their tasks, as the assistant can seamlessly follow up on conversations and requests, helping users stay organized without having to jump between multiple tools.
Zoom Tasks: A New Way to Stay Organized
In addition to upgrading existing features, Zoom is introducing a new tool called Zoom Tasks. This feature, integrated with the AI Companion, will help users detect, recommend, and complete tasks based on conversations they have within Zoom Workplace. Whether it's a follow-up action from a meeting or a task arising from a chat, the AI can help streamline the entire process.
Zoom Tasks is designed to help users stay organized by automatically creating tasks and reminders based on their interactions. By using AI to manage these tasks, Zoom aims to make the workplace more efficient, allowing employees to focus on their priorities without getting bogged down by task management.
Image Credit: Zoom
Customization and Future Plans
To add a personal touch to the platform, Zoom will offer new customization options for users. This includes the ability to create custom avatars, making interactions more engaging and personalized. However, this feature will come at an additional cost and won’t be available until the first half of 2025.
Zoom’s founder and CEO, Eric S. Yuan, emphasized the company’s commitment to revolutionizing the way we work. He stated, “At Zoom, we’re not just reimagining communication—we’re revolutionizing the entire work experience. Our vision is to create an AI-first work platform for human connection that empowers teams to achieve more than ever."
With AI Companion already enhancing productivity, these new features mark a significant step forward in Zoom’s mission to transform digital workplaces. While some features are still on the horizon, the current rollouts will soon be available to Zoom Workplace users in the coming weeks, promising to reshape how tasks are managed and completed in the digital age.
In summary, Zoom’s latest AI innovations are set to redefine how employees engage with their work. From improved AI assistance to new task management tools, Zoom is gearing up to become a leader in the AI-powered workplace of the future.