Zoom to Launch AI Avatar Feature for Virtual Meetings
Zoom's vision of populating meetings with AI replicas is almost a reality. The video conferencing platform announced this week that users will soon be able to generate a photorealistic digital avatar for when they aren't prepared to appear on camera. This feature ensures your AI representation looks professional, even if you've just woken up.
This new capability is scheduled to launch for Workplace users in December. It enables you to create an AI likeness by uploading a photo or capturing one directly in the app. After your avatar is generated, you can select from various professional attire options. The avatar will mirror your real-time movements and speech during meetings.
While Zoom previously introduced AI avatars for pre-recorded messages last year, this update allows real-time meeting participation through an AI double. In a June 2024 interview on Decoder, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan discussed a future where everyone could have a "digital twin"—an AI agent that handles tasks like attending meetings and managing emails autonomously. While not fully realized yet, this development represents a significant step toward that vision.

Zoom currently creates AI avatars for use in pre-recorded videos. Image: ZoomRelated
- Tech executives are implementing AI to assume their responsibilities
- Zoom's CEO envisions AI representatives participating in meetings
Zoom is implementing protective measures with its photorealistic avatar feature to prevent misuse, such as impersonating celebrities like Keanu Reeves. According to Smita Hashim, Zoom's Chief Product Officer, the platform will employ live camera authentication to verify user identity against uploaded images. The system will also display in-meeting notifications indicating when participants are using AI avatars. Hashim notes that specific enrollment and authentication procedures might evolve before the feature's full release.

Zoom's AI translation feature provides real-time interpretation into preferred languages. Image: ZoomIn addition to AI avatars, Zoom is introducing several platform enhancements, including real-time voice translation. Launching in December, this AI-powered feature will translate speakers' words instantly, allowing participants to select their preferred language. Initial language support includes English, German, Chinese, French, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, Portuguese, and Italian.
The company is also upgrading its AI assistant, which can now schedule meetings and create video summaries. This month, Zoom will enable users to integrate the assistant with external meeting platforms like Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, where it can automatically record meeting notes.
Related article
Warner Music acquires AI attribution startup Sureel AI
Warner Music Group (WMG) confirmed on Wednesday that it is acquiring Sureel AI, an artificial intelligence attribution startup. Sureel’s proprietary technology generates “AI DNA” for musical tracks, deconstructing them into constituent elements to tr
Amazon introduces Alexa for Shopping while pushing Rufus to the background
Amazon has launched Alexa for Shopping, merging its Rufus shopping chatbot with Alexa+ across the app, website, and Echo Show devices.The assistant answers product queries, compares items, tracks prices, and supports shopping reminders. It also handl
Microsoft, Azure and AI Tech Combat California Wildfire Risks
Microsoft invests in AI-driven wildfire detection, with Juan Lavista Ferres, CVP and Chief Data Scientist, discussing strategies to mitigate environmental damage.According to NASA, climate change impacts everyone on Earth, manifesting as rising tempe
Related Special Topic Recommendations
Comments (0)
0/500
Zoom's vision of populating meetings with AI replicas is almost a reality. The video conferencing platform announced this week that users will soon be able to generate a photorealistic digital avatar for when they aren't prepared to appear on camera. This feature ensures your AI representation looks professional, even if you've just woken up.
This new capability is scheduled to launch for Workplace users in December. It enables you to create an AI likeness by uploading a photo or capturing one directly in the app. After your avatar is generated, you can select from various professional attire options. The avatar will mirror your real-time movements and speech during meetings.
While Zoom previously introduced AI avatars for pre-recorded messages last year, this update allows real-time meeting participation through an AI double. In a June 2024 interview on Decoder, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan discussed a future where everyone could have a "digital twin"—an AI agent that handles tasks like attending meetings and managing emails autonomously. While not fully realized yet, this development represents a significant step toward that vision.

Related
- Tech executives are implementing AI to assume their responsibilities
- Zoom's CEO envisions AI representatives participating in meetings
Zoom is implementing protective measures with its photorealistic avatar feature to prevent misuse, such as impersonating celebrities like Keanu Reeves. According to Smita Hashim, Zoom's Chief Product Officer, the platform will employ live camera authentication to verify user identity against uploaded images. The system will also display in-meeting notifications indicating when participants are using AI avatars. Hashim notes that specific enrollment and authentication procedures might evolve before the feature's full release.

In addition to AI avatars, Zoom is introducing several platform enhancements, including real-time voice translation. Launching in December, this AI-powered feature will translate speakers' words instantly, allowing participants to select their preferred language. Initial language support includes English, German, Chinese, French, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, Portuguese, and Italian.
The company is also upgrading its AI assistant, which can now schedule meetings and create video summaries. This month, Zoom will enable users to integrate the assistant with external meeting platforms like Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, where it can automatically record meeting notes.
Warner Music acquires AI attribution startup Sureel AI
Warner Music Group (WMG) confirmed on Wednesday that it is acquiring Sureel AI, an artificial intelligence attribution startup. Sureel’s proprietary technology generates “AI DNA” for musical tracks, deconstructing them into constituent elements to tr
Microsoft, Azure and AI Tech Combat California Wildfire Risks
Microsoft invests in AI-driven wildfire detection, with Juan Lavista Ferres, CVP and Chief Data Scientist, discussing strategies to mitigate environmental damage.According to NASA, climate change impacts everyone on Earth, manifesting as rising tempe





Home






