Zoom had its breakthrough in the past year because of COVID and readjustment to the WFH environment. Among the effects it has had an up boom in its subscribers and is now a necessity for business people, schools, and persons. Yet Zoom does not sit idle with simply being associated with the video conferencing application. The business aims to is now striving to be an artificial intelligence first collaborative workspace.
What is an AI-First Collaboration Platform?
An AI-first collaboration platform is a definition of a technology built around artificial intelligence that seeks to improve the paradigm of collaboration among the members of the workforce. This includes things like captions, translation, and analytics of meetings. These AI solutions are designed to enhance the meeting processes to become more effective, efficient, and, as well as inclusive.
Zoom's AI-First Vision
Recently, in a blog entry, the Zoom, the CEO Eric Yuan talked about the company’s strategy of transforming into an AI-first collaboration space. He said, “Our goal is to make video communications smarter, more penetrating, and more inclusive as possible.” which refers with the concept of Zoom of making video communications more seamless and secure.
AI-Powered Features
Zoom has incorporated many other features and these, for instance, are some of the great uses of artificial intelligence by Zoom. Some of such functions are automatic closed captioning, suppression of background noise, and virtual backgrounds. The organization has also recently purchased Kites, an Artificial Intelligence form of a machine learning tool to strengthen its videos.
Real-Time Transcription and Translation
Among new AI features that Zoom provides, effective real-time transcription and translation are considered as one of the most valuable ones. Possibilities of this feature include saving participants’ conversations in text format, as well as translating them into the languages chosen by the participants. This is particularly important for global conferences and for people with hearing disorders and difficulties.
Meeting Insights
There are recently worked on features at Zoom that includes meeting insights. This feature applies artificial intelligence in order to dissect the taken data and give suggestions regarding the efficacy of the meetings. It can also determine recurrent themes/threads and issues/actions to be taken and lead to discussions in meetings; this way, participants can easily track follow-ups.
Ways that an AI-First Collaboration Platform adds value
Implementing AI in the collaboration experience has the following advantages: First and foremost, it brings the quality and efficiency of the meetings to another level that people will appreciate. It also save time from fatigue when it comes to meetings by minimizing the completion of simple tasks and consequently alarming the participants for more discussions. Furthermore, an AI-first collaboration platform guarantees equality since it has aspects like real-time transcription and translation of the discussion.
The Future of Collaboration
Zoom is undoubtedly a company with an AI-first perspective; it is only the start. In the future, there will be even more shocking features added to it as technology expands thus changing the face of collaboration. This entails virtual reality meetings, scheduling such as predicative scheduling and having unique meeting experiences.
Advanteges and Disadvantages
Advantages of Zoom
1. Intuitive Interface: Zoom has an interface that is intuitive and easy to use, thus making it comfortable for all possible users.
2. HD Video and Audio: It does provide the best quality of video and audio that allows holding meetings with no hassle whatsoever.
3. Scalability: This means Zoom can include any number of participants, even small and large webinars, so it is appropriate for a number of varying circumstances.
4. Shared Screen, and Collaboration Tools: Users can share screens, files, and presentations seamlessly, increasing collaboration during a meeting.
5. Recording Features: Enables recording of meetings or reference afterwards; Ideal for viewers who missed the live session.
6. Integration of Other Tools: It integrates all the collaboration and productivity tools, which make work easier and more effective.
7. Virtual Background and Filters: A user can also personalize the look by adding virtual background and filters, making the meeting a joyous experience.
Disadvantages of Zoom
1. Security Concerns: Zoom has been highly criticized about the security concerns, which include unauthorized access to meetings (Zoom bombing) and data privacy issues.
2. Internet Dependency: To function excellently, it relies on stable internet connection. In case internet is not fast, connectivity issues might disturb the meetings.
3. Video Conferencing Fatigue: Extended usage of video conferencing services causes “Zoom fatigue,” that is when users end up being drained or even feel overwhelmed.
4. Limited Free Version: The free version has time limitations on meetings: group calls can only be done at 40-minute intervals, which is somewhat limiting for longer sessions.
5. Gradual acquisition of advanced features: Advanced features are somehow rather very hard to get mastery over; hence, time is taken abundantly.
6. Distractions: Virtual class participants may be distracted due to their environment or notifications during virtual class, which may affect engagement.
7. Technological Dependence: Quite often, technology failure might put hurdles in the way of an effective communication process and even disrupt meetings.
After all, although Zoom offers many good features that help people communicate and collaborate remotely, the users still have to be aware of the limitation and possibly challenges.
Conclusion
Thus, Zoom’s vision of becoming an AI-first collaboration tool might be quite challenging, yet not unattainable. The firm has already come a long way to integrate AI into its facilitating platform, and with its recent acquisition on Kites, there is more to look forward to in the nearest future. As we expend the rest of our careers working within a new normal that is characterized by the remote workplace, an AI-first collaboration platform like Zoom will be very important.
