Zoom Launches AI-Powered Docs to Compete with Google and Microsoft

Zoom Docs takes on Google Docs and Microsoft Word with generative AI features - Times of India

Zoom is now rolling out Zoom Docs, an AI-first collaborative document editor integrated into the Zoom Workplace platform. Powered by Zoom AI Companion, the company's generative AI assistant, the tool offers customizable templates for various meeting types, including one-on-ones, stand-ups, and project updates. "Zoom Docs is our first Zoom Workplace product with generative AI built in from the ground up," said Smita Hashim, chief product officer at Zoom."It effortlessly transforms information from Zoom Meetings into actionable documents and knowledge bases, so teams can stay focused on meaningful work." Key features of Zoom Docs include real-time collaboration during meetings, AI-assisted content generation and revision, multi-language translation support, customizable layouts with various content blocks, and integration with third-party apps like Google Drive and Figma. The new tool addresses common workplace challenges such as information overload and cross-functional alignment. It allows users to create and edit documents, wikis, and tables, providing a centralised platform for project planning, business document creation, and knowledge base management. Zoom Docs is now available for users of Zoom Workplace app version 6.1.6 or later. While Basic (free) users can create up to 10 shared docs without AI capabilities, full functionality is accessible to paid Zoom Workplace plan subscribers. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

Zoom Is Going After Google and Microsoft With AI-Driven Docs

Starting Monday, Zoom users will have the option to open a document tool from within their video calling app and create sharable files based on their meetings -- but they'll also be prompted to use generative AI to help them write and edit them. This new feature, essentially Zoom's version of docs, is the latest effort to compete with Microsoft and Google to become an everything workplace for businesses. The docs feature Zoom's AI Companion, a generative tool built on LLM models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and the company's own models, unveiled last fall. It can take a meeting transcript and organize it into templates, or make tables, checklists, and trackers to organize processes and tasks. The docs can then be integrated to Zoom meetings for sharing and editing. "AI is what makes the experience so differentiated," says Smita Hashim, chief product officer at Zoom. "The goal is that the mundane, high friction takes, which take up so much of our time, can be done by AI." Zoom docs are the company's latest update to its collaborative tool Workplace that came out in March. It's an attempt to attract customers in a crowded market: Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 dominate the space, and have already added their own AI features to tools and to their laptops. The market is "extremely difficult to compete in," says Will McKeon-White, senior analyst of infrastructure and operations at research firm Forrester, but not impossible -- Google Docs has thrived in a world where Microsoft Word once reigned. Google Workspace has more than 3 billion users, while Microsoft Teams has over 320 million monthly active users. In this case, Zoom is betting that the price will matter: its Workplace plans include the company's AI Companion at no extra cost (Zoom Workplace costs between $14 and $19 dollars per user per month for smaller companies. Microsoft's Copilot for 365 add-on costs $30 per user per month, and Gemini for business from Google costs between $20 and $30 per user per month in addition to base costs for the service). Gemini can also help users brainstorm in Google Docs, create images, and summarize and refine text. And CoPilot can work across Word, PowerPoint, and Excel to analyze information, rewrite information, and create presentations. Persuading businesses to move from one workplace tech provider to another is challenging, and Zoom may be banking on the fact that many organizations already use Zoom alongside another provider, leaving them open to a switch. Zoom has been looking for the next big thing that could replicate its rapid growth during the Covid-19 lockdowns, as people worked via Zoom or even attended Zoom weddings. In early 2023, the company hit a tipping point -- the number of clients that were willing to pay for Zoom had already done so, and fewer people were turning to it for "fun" Zoom calls with family or friends. The company dropped off the Nasdaq 100 at the end of 2023, and its share price is down nearly 90 percent from its 2020 high. Zoom laid off about 15 percent of its staff in early 2023, but seemingly aware it needed to expand, began integrating more calendar features and added cartoon avatars. Zoom has recently also seen growth in its Contact Center, a customer service channel for businesses. But to compete with bundled services like Google and Microsoft that also offer video calls, it needs to do more.

AI-first Zoom Docs debuts on Zoom Workplace, enhancing meeting effectiveness and transforming team collaboration, document creation, and project planning

Zoom Docs' AI-first customizable design easily adapts to team and project needs, including documents, wikis, and tables, providing a single place to manage work SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) announced the rollout of Zoom Docs, its AI-first collaborative docs solution, starting today. Zoom Docs is powered by Zoom AI Companion, the company's generative AI assistant available at no additional cost*, to help drive productivity and seamless collaboration throughout Zoom Workplace. "Zoom Docs is our first Zoom Workplace product with generative AI built in from the ground up; it effortlessly transforms information from Zoom Meetings into actionable documents and knowledge bases, so teams can stay focused on meaningful work," said Smita Hashim, chief product officer at Zoom. "Zoom Docs is included at no additional cost with Zoom Workplace paid licenses, creating even more value for our customers. With AI Companion available every step of the way, Zoom Docs is purpose-built to empower people to 'work happy' and give them more time back in their day." Zoom Docs transforms team collaboration Zoom Docs can help solve critical challenges facing modern workforces, including time wasted on repetitive tasks, information overload, and facilitation of cross-functional alignment. By utilizing Zoom AI Companion to convert meeting outcomes into actionable documents, Zoom Docs can jumpstart content creation and adapt to different individual and team needs to help boost workers' productivity. Zoom Docs' AI-first capabilities help Zoom Workplace users make teamwork more collaborative and effective, optimize productivity by keeping information organized, and reduce silos by empowering teams to communicate and share information more fluidly. Potential use cases for Zoom Docs include: Additional AI-first capabilities help teams do their best work With the power of AI Companion, Zoom Docs simplifies work and brings information together for optimal results. Maximize meeting effectiveness to drive better outcomes Meetings are core to Zoom Workplace, and Zoom Docs builds on that experience by enhancing collaboration before, during, and after meetings, empowering users to stay more aligned and achieve better results. Get work done in one place for better results Adapt docs to different individual and team needs to keep collaboration fluid and information organized. Optimize team collaboration Reduce silos and keep collaborators informed, connected, and aligned. Zoom Docs with AI Companion is included with all paid Zoom Workplace plans*. Basic (free) users can create up to 10 shared docs and unlimited personal docs without AI Companion but can upgrade to Zoom Workplace Pro, Business, or Enterprise plans for access to AI Companion capabilities across Zoom Workplace, including Docs. Account owners and admins may enable or disable AI Companion for Zoom Docs. Zoom Docs is available beginning today for users of the Zoom Workplace app, version 6.1.6 or later, which can be downloaded from the Zoom website, and users can also access Zoom Docs from the Docs web homepage or the Zoom Web App. *Note: AI Companion is included at no additional cost with the paid services assigned to Zoom accounts. AI Companion, including AI Companion capabilities in Zoom Docs, may not be available for all regions and industry verticals. About Zoom Zoom's mission is to provide one platform that delivers limitless human connection. Reimagine teamwork with Zoom Workplace -- Zoom's open collaboration platform with AI Companion empowers teams to be more productive. Together with Zoom Workplace, Zoom's Business Services for sales, marketing, and customer care teams, including Zoom Contact Center, strengthen customer relationships throughout the customer lifecycle. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more information at zoom.com.