Zoomtopia 2024 is a groundbreaking event that showcased the future of virtual communication. One of the most exciting announcements was the launch of AI Companion 2.0, a next-generation AI platform designed to enhance human connection. Building upon the success of its predecessor, AI Companion 2.0 introduces a suite of innovative features that streamline workflows and boost productivity across various aspects of professional life. In addition to the features we have come to love like summaries for Meetings and Phone calls, Whiteboard content generation, and Team Chat and Mail compose, the items below are just some of the amazing features that will be included in AI Companion 2.0:

• Zoom Workplace:
  • Document Analysis: Get information about documents connected to Zoom Workplace, including email attachments, documents from chat, and Zoom Docs.
  • Company Directory Search: Quickly find the information you need about your colleagues and teams.
  • Citations: Hover over the response given by AI Companion to learn more about the source.
  • Tasks: Stay on top of action items with Zoom Tasks
• Meetings:
  • Web Query: Access relevant information from the web directly within your meetings.
  • Next Steps: Automatically generate action items based on meeting discussions.
  • Agenda: Create personalized meeting agendas with AI assistance.
• Team Chat:
  • Query a Chat Channel: Search through chat history effortlessly.
  • Prioritize My Chats: Focus on the most important conversations.
• Mail & Calendar:
• Summarize an Email: Get a concise overview of key points in your emails.
• Query an Email: Find specific information within your emails.
• Docs:
  • Summarize a Doc: Quickly understand the main points of your documents.
  • Query a Doc: Search for specific information within your documents.
• Spaces:
  • Office Queries: Get answers to your office-related questions.
  • Room Recommendations: Find the perfect space for your meetings or events.
  • Room Reservations: Easily book meeting rooms and other office spaces.
• Contact Center:
  • Conversation Summary: Review key points from your customer interactions.
  • Follow-up Tasks: Generate tasks based on customer conversations.

This powerful AI platform is set to revolutionize the way we work and communicate, making it easier than ever to connect with colleagues and clients.

If you weren't able to attend Zoomtopia or would like to rewatch the sessions, check 'em out here.

Artificial intelligence has entered the mainstream and helped us achieve new heights in efficiency through technology. This makes the advantages of AI seem practically limitless, giving our imaginations plenty of runway to reimagine what’s possible. 

While it’s fun to dream up the next great idea, implementing a new AI solution requires a strong commitment to safety and securing the data that drives it. We’re kicking off a new series on the Zoom blog, where we’ll discuss how and why you should implement generative AI safely and what Zoom is doing to create a safe and secure AI environment for our customers.

What is generative AI and how does it work?

 

AI can serve many different purposes, and generative AI gives you tools to generate new content including images, words, sounds, videos, and data through multiple inputs and outputs to AI models. Sometimes referred to as GenAI, generative AI goes beyond what’s humanly possible and uses various AI and machine learning algorithms to deliver instant results when prompted. In return, people can accelerate their work and save valuable time with generative AI tools for tasks such as drafting meeting summaries, sourcing images, or overcoming writer’s block with copywriting assistance. 

 

Generative AI solutions can be invaluable to the end user, freeing up time to focus on more meaningful work. But before you choose which AI tools to implement in your workflows, it’s important to consider a few things.

 

1. Determine and outline the problems you want to solve. Are you trying to improve customer service? Simplify repetitive tasks? Assess new trends? Translate and localize content quickly?
2. Develop a timeline. How quickly are you able to explore, evaluate, and implement your AI options? What teams in your organizations need to sign off? What’s the cost of moving too slowly?
3. Decide what matters to you. Different AI tools come with different benefits, drawbacks, and questions to ask the vendors you’re evaluating. What features are included in their services and how do they align with your goals?

In addition to these questions, it’s important to research how a vendor handles AI safety and security, and their privacy measures for implementing and using generative AI. We also recommend organizations and their end-users explore how data is collected and used to power the AI tools they want to implement.

 

 

What is AI safety versus AI security?

 

To begin with, it’s important to know how AI safety compares to AI security. AI safety and security are fundamental yet distinct aspects of the deployment and protection of AI systems, but specifically:

 

• AI security is focused on safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data used in AI models and systems.
• AI safety involves broader considerations related to robustness and reliability, ethical implications, long-term societal, economic, and environmental impacts, and impacts on human rights and values.

 

 

AI security at Zoom

  

To overcome some of the security challenges that surface with AI integrations (namely the need to safeguard AI models, datasets, and training environments), there are a number of emerging guidelines, standards, and frameworks from respected institutions such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and jointly: the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Our approach to AI security aligns with these industry standards and leading practices and is designed to preserve the trust and confidence of our users by focusing on mitigating emerging threats. 

 

Our commitment to AI security is also integrated throughout the entire Zoom Secure Development Lifecycle (ZSDLC), encompassing secure supply chain management, model training, secure design, secure development, secure operation, and employee training. We’re incorporating AI considerations into our GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) policies and risk framework, and also including security testing and research conducted by our Security Assurance team.

 

 

How Zoom approaches AI safety

 

Our approach to AI safety starts with the models and data we use to build our services. For Zoom-hosted models, we validate and manage our training data, and when selecting third-party vendors, we evaluate their safety procedures to ensure they align with our mission. Our evaluations include testing the models against standard safety metrics to validate common issues that can occur through model training. 

 

Account owners and admins have controls to manage the availability of AI features for their accounts, including user and group level controls that provide options for deployment. These options include, when appropriate, allowing for human review of outputs before being shared more broadly. Additionally, when using in-meeting features within Zoom Workplace (our open collaboration platform with AI Companion), the sparkle icon notifies you that AI is enabled and in use to help provide transparency for customers and participants. 

 

Here are three different ways we approach AI security and safety at Zoom:

 

1. Protection of Zoom's AI products and services that utilize generative AI – such as Zoom AI Companion and Zoom Contact Center Expert Assist – and the underlying models that support them.
2. Leveraging AI throughout our security program and practices to stay ahead of evolving threats.
3. Securing Zoom's internal use of AI.

 

Managing safety and security alongside a federated AI approach

 

 

 At Zoom, we take a federated approach to AI, which means we apply the best large-language models for a specific task, including third-party AI models that customers are already familiar with. Customers can choose which features they use and whether they want to use Zoom-hosted models only, which is available for select features. This gives administrators more control over what’s available within their organization. 

 

In line with our commitment to responsible AI, Zoom does not use any customer audio, video, chat, screen sharing, attachments, or other communications like customer content (such as poll results, whiteboard, and reactions) to train Zoom’s or third-party artificial intelligence models. For more information about how Zoom AI Companion handles customer data,  visit our support page.

 

 

AI Companion, safety, security, and the future

 

While this initial discussion of AI safety and security just begins to scratch the surface, in the coming months, we’ll share more details about how we’re maximizing our efforts during the global shift to AI. We believe that AI is an incredible way to improve the way we work and that this is just the beginning. As we continue to release new features for AI Companion and Zoom Workplace, rest assured, AI safety and security are at the forefront of our development process.  

 

If you want to learn more about Zoom’s approach to privacy and security, join us for our upcoming webinar, titled Zoom’s Approach to AI Privacy and Security, on September 26, 2024.  

Already vibing with Zoom for your virtual hangouts and meetings? Then you’re in for a treat! Zoom just dropped a new feature that’s about to make your group projects, study sessions, and team collabs way easier: Zoom Docs📄✨

So, What’s the Hype About?

Zoom Docs is your new go-to tool for real-time document magic. Whether you’re plotting your next big idea, jotting down notes, or just want a single spot for everyone to contribute, this feature lets you do it all directly inside Zoom. Say goodbye to app-switching headaches and hello to smooth, seamless collabs. 🙌

Why You’ll Love It:

1. Live Edits, No Stress: Forget the back-and-forth of emailing docs or switching between apps. With Zoom Docs, you and your squad can work together in real time without ever leaving your Zoom call. Instant edits, live comments, zero hassle.
2. One App to Rule Them All: If you’re already using Zoom, Docs slides right into your setup. No extra installs, no juggling multiple platforms—just open a doc and get to work. It’s all-in-one, just like it should be.
3. More Chill, More Productive: Less time app-hopping means more time getting stuff done. Zoom Docs helps you focus, streamline, and crush your goals together, faster.
4. Security On Lock: It’s Zoom, so you know your stuff is safe. Docs comes with all the same top-notch security you’ve come to expect from Zoom, so your documents are as protected as your meetings.

Get Started in 3...2...1!

Ready to try it out? Here’s how you jump in:

1. Open Zoom and hit up the ‘Docs’ tab.
2. Start a new doc or dive into an existing one.
3. Share with your crew and start collabing like a pro!

If you’re already on Zoom, Docs is live and waiting for you. If you’re new to Zoom, now’s the time to hop on board and see what you’ve been missing!

When to Use It:

• Group Projects: Co-create, edit, and finalize docs with your group in real time—no need to wait for “updated versions.”
• Brainstorming Sessions: Jot down all your wild ideas on the spot and keep the creativity flowing.
• Study Sessions: Keep everyone on the same page with shared notes and docs that you can all edit together.

What’s Next?

Zoom is all about keeping you connected, and Docs is another step in making sure you’re working smarter, not harder. Whether you’re a Zoom veteran or just diving in, try out Zoom Docs today and see how it takes your teamwork to the next level.

Ready to Collab? Jump into Zoom Docs Now!
Make teamwork fun, easy, and efficient with Zoom’s latest feature. Give it a try and let the collab vibes flow! 🌊

Hey Zoom Community!

We're thrilled to introduce our latest update: AI-generated Virtual Backgrounds! 🌟 Now, creating the perfect backdrop for your Zoom calls has never been easier.

Here's how it works: Within the virtual background selection window, eligible users can now access the generate custom background feature. Simply choose from preset options or describe the background you envision, and our AI model will work its magic to bring your vision to life! 🎨✨

Whether you're dreaming of a serene beach scene, a bustling cityscape, or something totally out-of-this-world, our AI-generated backgrounds have got you covered. Plus, with multiple images to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect fit for any occasion.

But that's not all! Admins can also manage this feature through account and group-level settings, ensuring seamless integration into your organization's Zoom experience. 💼✨

So, why wait? Try out our AI-generated Virtual Backgrounds today and elevate your Zoom calls to a whole new level of creativity and professionalism! 

Background & Effects> Virtual Backgrounds> Generate

Concerned about how Zoom AI Companion features handle your data?  Please refer to this comprehensive guide for more information.

Visit the new resource hub where you can download and share ready-made assets to help your employees enable AI Companion in Zoom.

***Original article posted in Zoom Blog

Hey everyone! 🚀

Are you ready to supercharge your productivity with the power of AI? Introducing the Zoom AI Assistant, your new digital sidekick for seamless meetings and smarter collaboration.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Effortless Summaries: Get quick recaps of meetings without lifting a finger.
• Smart Scheduling: Say goodbye to calendar chaos with intelligent scheduling features.
• Instant Insights: Access key points and action items instantly to keep projects on track.

How to Get Started:

1. Explore the Features: Dive into the interface and discover all the ways AI can make your life easier.
2. Personalize Your Experience: Customize settings to match your workflow and preferences.
3. Stay Updated: Keep an eye on new features and updates to make the most of your AI Assistant.

Join the future of work today! For more details and step-by-step onboarding resources, check out Zoom AI Assistant Onboarding Resources.

Don’t miss out on this game-changing tool. Let’s make AI work for you!

Zoom AI Companion promises to boost productivity and streamline meetings. But is it worth the investment? Zoom has made it easier than ever to find out with AI Companion ROI calculator.

The calculator is a simple tool that asks you a few basic questions about your organization:

Based on your answers, the calculator provides an estimate of how much time and money your organization could save by using Zoom AI Companion.

Why use the calculator?

• Quantify Savings: Seeing potential cost savings in black and white can be persuasive when making a business case for new tools.
• Understand Impact: The calculator gives you a clearer picture of how AI Companion can affect your team's productivity.
• Inform Decision Making: Armed with data, you can make a more informed decision about whether to adopt the tool.

Give it a try! It's a quick and easy way to see if Zoom AI Companion is a good fit for your organization. 

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, all things Artificial Intelligence (AI) have undoubtedly flooded your inbox and social feeds. AI, especially Generative AI (GenAI), is still the hot topic everyone’s talking about. AI isn’t just the future; it’s happening right now. And it’s not just hype—AI has the potential to add trillions of dollars to the global economy. But where do you even start when thinking about implementing AI in your contact center?

Our practical guide to contact center AI is at hand to help you get off to the right start. We get real about the impact of AI in the contact center, its benefits, implementation challenges, and five steps you can take to achieve AI greatness in your contact center.

Lake|Flato Architects saves 100 hours a week by consolidating on Zoom Workplace!

https://www.zoom.com/en/customer-stories/lake-flato/

When Lake|Flato Architects set out to build the modern, inclusive workspace for hybrid teams, they chose Zoom as their tech platform—putting in-office and remote workers on equal footing and equipping them with a robust set of productivity-boosting tools. Check out our latest case study to learn how they are...

✨ Saving time and boosting productivity with Zoom AI Companion Meeting Summary and Whiteboard Content Generation

🏢 Putting everyone on equal footing with Zoom Rooms

📣 Leveraging Digital Signage as a new marketing channel

💡 Collaborating effortlessly with Zoom Whiteboard

☎️ Working more efficiently with Zoom Phone

I am very excited to announce the launch of a new space within the Zoom Community CS Forum, OnDemand Learning.

Ever thought how convenient it would be to quickly access a recording anytime for a Zoom product training, what's new session, open office hour, customer discussion, or much more? Now you can!

New content will added and updated on a continual basis.

Head over to our new page today to check it out here!!