Zoom Expands AI Capabilities with Workflow Automation and Enhanced Collaboration Features

Zoom uses AI to make our lives a little easier - Softonic

Zoom, one of the most used tools in the business world, has introduced a new automation tool powered by artificial intelligence, designed to relieve workers from repetitive and administrative tasks. This innovation will allow employees to focus on activities that generate more significant results as hybrid work becomes established in various industries. The new service, called Workflow Automation, is based on no-code automation templates that users can select and modify according to their needs, thus allowing the integration of third-party applications along with Zoom's own software. Wei Li, head of the company's Chat Team, emphasized that this tool is designed to be accessible even for those without a technical background, stressing that "empowering people with AI to do more is fundamental to what we do at Zoom." Among the features offered by Workflow Automation is the ability to automatically generate summaries after meetings, which can then be added to Zoom, Google, or Word documents, and shared in Team Chat channels, all without the need for additional user intervention after the initial setup. Zoom has highlighted its no-code approach as an advantage over its competitors, which often require certain technical knowledge to use their tools. The company positions itself as an accessible option for many organizations, which could lead to significant improvements in productivity. In addition to the new automation tool, Zoom has expanded the functionalities of its AI Companion tool. With the integration of additional microphones through users' laptops, an improvement in audio quality in Zoom Rooms is promised. They also announce the launch of a YouTube application within Zoom meetings, ensuring a smoother and lag-free video experience. Paid subscribers of Zoom will have access to Workflow Automation at no additional cost, as long as they use version 6.3.10 or higher of the desktop application.

Zoom wants you to drop Microsoft Office and Google Workspace for its new AI software tools

Zoom has lifted the wraps off a new AI-powered tool designed to assist workers with repetitive and administrative work, freeing them up more time to produce meaningful outcomes. The new Workflow Automation service centers around no-code automation templates that users can select and tweak to get certain tasks done for them, promising support for third-party apps as well as the company's own software. Head of Team Chat, Wei Li, described the feature as easy to use for workers who aren't technically minded, adding: "Empowering people with AI to help them get more done is core to what we do at Zoom." In its announcement, Zoom described how Workflow Automation could be used to generate summaries after meetings, and have that summary added directly into a Zoom Doc, Google Doc or Word document, before automatically sharing that document in a Team Chat channel, all without the involvement or direction of a worker (beyond the initial setup). Zoom slated its competitors for requiring workers to possess a certain amount of technical knowledge, adding that its no-code technology can be used by virtually anyone for pretty significant productivity boosts. At the same time, the California-based company previously known for its video conferencing software - which now wants to be known for its AI-enhance Workplace software - added new features to its AI Companion tool. With hybrid working still commonplace in many industries, companion audi in Zoom Rooms promises to enhance the experience by using workers' individual laptops as additional microphones for clearer audio, rather than requiring companies to invest in multiple in-room mics. Zoom is also adding a YouTube app within Zoom Meetings "soon," promising native and lag-free video sharing for each individual participant rather than a cumbersome screen sharing experience. Furthermore, support for Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Indonesian, Polish, Russian, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese and Dutch (Netherlands) have all been added to extend the company's reach into many of the world's most populous countries. Paying Zoom subscribers can now access Workflow Automation at no additional cost with versions 6.3.10 and above of the desktop app.

Zoom's push to capture more enterprise work continues with launch of new workflow and AI features

Although Zoom was once just considered a reliable video communication platform for business and consumer users alike, following its rise in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the leadership team at the vendor have pursued a strategy of consolidating more and more enterprise work into its platform. This was particularly evident following the launch of Zoom Workplace, which brought all of the company's collaboration tools and features into one space - labelling it as the 'place where people get work done'. And this week Zoom has taken this further by introducing new workflow, automation and AI tools that aim to broaden its scope across the employee base, as well as for the IT department specifically. The product announcements should be viewed as both an attempt to bring more work into the fold, whilst also simultaneously opening up its platform to other enterprise vendors that have reach with enterprise buyers. For instance, Zoom has this week announced the general availability of Workflow Automation, a no-code workflow builder - now with the added functionality of Zoom's AI Companion. Workflow Automation is aimed at both IT admins and end users, to set up steps and actions that will automatically run in a certain order once a trigger occurs. For instance, a trigger could be an AI Companion meeting summary generated after every meeting, which then is automatically added to a dedicated Zoom, Google or Word document. The workflow could then also have this document automatically shared in a Team Chat channel. This example highlights how Zoom is encouraging work to be organized within its Workplace platform, by making it easier for users to automate simple tasks, whilst incorporating well-used collaboration tools from other vendors. Wei Li, head of Team Chat at Zoom, said: Empowering people with AI to help them get more done is core to what we do at Zoom. That's why we've enabled Zoom Workflow Automation to harness the power of Zoom AI Companion. Organizations can use Zoom Workflow Automation to set up workflows across Zoom Workplace and third-party apps, helping teams automate how they work. Workflow Automation not only takes repetitive tasks off of employees' shoulders, it's easy to use, even for teams who don't have technical backgrounds. Zoom is also targeting IT admins by allowing IT help desk requests to be collected with feedback collection forms, to allow employees to get the help they need when they need it. Additionally, the workflow automation platform combines conditional logic and sequential automation to build "dynamic workflows", whilst integrating with their party applications, such as Google, Microsoft and Jira. By using what Zoom calls 'no-code' technology and templates, it is hoping that it can accelerate the adoption of workflow builds - as the vendor claims that no technical background is required to get going with automating tasks. Other examples of Zoom using workflow automation to extend into the remit of other enterprise players (such as ServiceNow and Workday), it also announced this week: In addition to Workflow Automation, Zoom has also announced Workplace and AI Companion updates - aimed at making collaboration easier before, during and after meetings. The new features include: Zoom's earnings are out next week, so we will be keeping an eye on how the company's Workplace strategy is resonating with the market. The reality for many enterprises is that they are embedded with legacy providers, which now offer extensive collaboration tools (e.g. Microsoft). However, if Zoom can offer the ability to automate more work by using its video platform as a jumping off point, whilst integrating with other platforms, there's potential it can creep and expand its reach with users. And it's the users who will likely have some sway over how and where they like to get work done. Zoom is slowly but surely increasing the reach of what it does, well beyond video conferencing. Whether it can make a material impact on other vendors, remains to be seen - but certainly an interesting play being made.