Inside Zoom’s AI evolution: from basic meeting tools to agentic productivity platform powered by LLMs and SLMs

Let me tell you, Zoom is undergoing a serious makeover. It’s not just about having meetings anymore. It’s about making stuff happen in the digital world.

Moving from meeting to milestone

Zoom CTO Xuedong Huang nailed it when he said, “In the agentic AI era, we’re transforming from meeting to milestone.”

This change signifies what many thought would be the next step for video conferencing tools. The speed at which it’s happening has even taken experts by surprise.

The hidden technical evolution behind Zoom’s agentic AI

Under the guidance of Huang, Zoom built an AI setup that goes beyond simple conversation. It’s crafted to achieve tangible results. The company’s unique language model approach is worth a closer look.

”We’ve teamed up with top models like OpenAI and Anthropic but also developed our own 2-billion parameter language model,” Huang mentioned.

This strategy of using multiple resources seems to be paying off, blending proprietary tech with smart partnerships.

How the small language model is at the center of Zoom’s agentic AI journey

Building a 2-billion parameter model from scratch was a big decision. Customizing this smaller model allows for specific agentic AI functions. Zoom’s plan to run these SLMs directly on users’ devices aligns with privacy concerns in enterprise AI.

AI Companion 2.0: Agentic AI transforms meetings to milestones

The latest AI Companion ups the game from just helping to fully taking charge. The new features include:

Agentic skills: Calendar management, clip generation, advanced writing help
Task management: Automatic action item detection from meetings and chats
Meeting enhancements: AI-powered agendas, live notes, and voice recording
Document creation: Advanced references and auto data table generation
Virtual agents: Self-service with chat and voice support
Industry solutions: Tools for frontline workers, healthcare, and educators
Zoom Drive: A new spot for productivity assets
Custom avatars: AI-generated video avatars for presentations

These will be available gradually till mid-2025. Standard AI Companion is included for paid users. Special setups will cost extra.

AI Studio: Building custom agents for enterprises

AI Studio lets businesses create unique AI agents tailored to their needs. For example, companies can upload their HR documents, training the AI on specific info. This feature solves a big issue in enterprise AI – the need for customization without the hassle.

Implications for enterprise AI decision-makers

For those evaluating productivity AI solutions, Zoom’s approach stands out compared to Microsoft, Google, and others. Its focus on results-oriented workflows may fit better for companies where meetings drive collaboration.

How can Zoom’s AI tools enhance productivity?

Zoom’s AI tools enhance productivity by transforming meetings into actionable milestones. Unlike typical video calls, these tools help identify tasks and manage projects in real-time. For instance:

Task Automation: Zoom’s AI can detect action items in meetings, making follow-ups easier. Instead of sifting through manual notes, users receive a to-do list by the end of a session.
Enhanced Collaboration: Features like AI-powered agendas and live notes help participants stay on the same page. Decisions made can be tracked and shared efficiently.

These advancements allow meetings to become more than just discussions. They evolve into springboards for achieving project goals.

How does Zoom AI improve remote meetings?

Zoom AI takes remote meetings to the next level by addressing common pain points and enhancing the user experience. Here’s how:

Improved Clarity: AI can create structured agendas and live notes, ensuring the meeting’s purpose is clear and focused. This helps maintain a productive flow.
Engagement Boost: Features like AI-generated avatars and virtual agents keep participants engaged, even in remote settings. This can lead to more interactive and dynamic meetings.

In a world where remote work is the norm, these enhancements make Zoom a powerful tool for effective collaboration, helping teams work smarter from anywhere.

What’s next for users?

Zoom’s evolution shows how companies can adapt to new work trends. This transformation is reshaping remote work and digital collaboration. For users, it means more efficient, results-driven meetings. Stay tuned as more features roll out, bringing even more improvements to productivity.