Zoom announced its revamped AI Companion 2.0 at Zoomtopia 2024, promising an “AI-first work platform.” This enhanced AI assistant integrates seamlessly within the Zoom Workplace suite, aiming to boost productivity and streamline workflows.
Zoom, initially known for video conferencing, has evolved into a comprehensive “open collaboration platform.” This platform encompasses various communication, productivity, and business services, catering to both online and physical office environments. Following its debut last September, the AI Companion is now deeply embedded within Zoom Workplace. Similar to Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot, it automates time-consuming tasks like transcription and report summarization, which can reportedly consume up to 62% of a workday.
AI Companion 2.0 introduces several key improvements. A persistent sidebar interface generates text and graphical responses to user prompts, enhancing information flow across Zoom Workplace. The AI’s contextual understanding allows for more personalized answers based on past conversations and current user activity within the app. Real-time internet access ensures up-to-date responses, while integration with Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, Google Calendar, Microsoft Office, and Google Docs provides access to relevant business data.
overhead shot of a person taking a zoom meeting at their desk
Businesses can further customize Companion 2.0 with an optional add-on. This feature allows for training on company-specific data, enabling the creation of custom dictionaries, meeting summaries, and knowledge collections. It can also generate meeting agendas, notes, summaries, and action items during meetings.
This customized AI extends beyond Zoom Workplace, orchestrating actions across third-party apps like Atlassian, Glean, Zendesk, Box, Asana, and Hubspot. For individuals, the AI streamlines video production with custom avatars for Zoom Clips. These avatars recite user-provided scripts, simplifying single-take recordings.
AI Companion 2.0 will be available soon at no extra cost for Zoom Workplace subscribers. The customization add-on will be priced at $12 per user per month, launching in the first half of 2025.
