Zoom Unveils Cross‑App AI Companion, Custom Notes, and Photorealistic Avatars at Zoomtopia
Key Points
- AI Companion now works with Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.
- Custom note‑taking lets users add their own notes for AI‑enhanced summaries.
- AI‑driven scheduling finds optimal meeting times and suggests meetings to skip.
- Photorealistic avatars mimic user actions, with safeguards against deepfake misuse.
- Cross‑platform search pulls data from Google and Microsoft ecosystems.
- New Zoom Clips tool enables asynchronous video sharing.
- Live translation and higher‑bit‑rate video (60fps) improve meeting quality.
- Custom AI agents can be built using Model Context Protocol.
Zoom announced a suite of new AI‑driven features at its Zoomtopia event, including an upgraded AI Companion that works across meeting platforms, a custom note‑taking tool that lets users add their own notes and have AI expand them, AI‑powered scheduling that finds optimal meeting times, and photorealistic avatars that mimic user actions. The updates also add cross‑platform search, proactive meeting recommendations, and a new web interface that highlights AI capabilities. These enhancements aim to keep Zoom competitive with specialized meeting‑productivity startups and broader productivity suites.
AI Companion Expands Across Platforms
Zoom introduced an upgraded AI Companion that can now operate alongside other meeting applications such as Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. By extending its functionality beyond the Zoom ecosystem, the AI Companion aims to compete with cross‑application notetakers like Read AI, Otter, Fireflies, Granola, and Circleback.
Custom Note‑Taking and AI‑Enhanced Summaries
The company added a feature that allows users to jot down their own notes during meetings, whether virtual or in‑person. After the meeting, the AI can expand and structure those notes, providing a polished summary. This mirrors a capability previously seen in Granola’s product.
AI‑Powered Scheduling and Meeting Recommendations
Through the AI Companion, Zoom now offers calendar‑related tools that locate mutually convenient time slots for all participants. A “free up my time” request can suggest meetings that may be skipped, and proactive recommendations include suggested agenda items and tasks for meeting preparation. The AI can also act as a group assistant for collaborative planning.
Photorealistic Avatars and Deepfake Concerns
Zoom announced the rollout of photorealistic avatars that can mimic a user’s gestures and speech, providing a polished presence for those who are not “camera‑ready.” While the avatars enhance user experience, Zoom acknowledged the risk of deepfake misuse, noting that corporate IT teams may need to disable the feature if necessary.
Additional Platform Enhancements
The update introduces cross‑platform search that pulls information from Google and Microsoft services, a new asynchronous video tool called Zoom Clips, AI‑driven live translation, and a refreshed web interface that places the AI Companion front and center. Other upgrades include higher‑bit‑rate video, 60fps support, a video management tool for assets, and the ability to create custom AI agents using the Model Context Protocol (MCP).