Zoom has announced the imminent arrival of artificial intelligence avatars. Users will be able to "teach" artificial intelligence their own facial expressions, "borrow" their appearance, and create short video messages using their digital copy. This was reported by The Verge.
To create an avatar, you will need to record a video, and artificial intelligence will analyze the user's appearance and voice. After that, the user will be able to write a text, and AI will voice it and create a corresponding video. This feature will only work with Zoom's Clips feature, which allows you to record short video messages.
To avoid fraudulent use cases, Zoom is introducing mandatory watermarking of such videos, enhanced verification measures, and "strict terms of use."
Avatars will be available in early 2025 as part of a special Zoom AI Companion add-on that will cost an additional $12 per month. If you don't have the add-on but have a paid Zoom subscription, you'll still be able to create clips using pre-installed avatars and AI voices.
Zoom CEO Eric Yuan said in an interview that he aims to allow users to send a "digital double" to meetings and calls.
“Today for this session, ideally, I do not need to join. I can send a digital version of myself to join so I can go to the beach,” says Yuan. “Or I do not need to check my emails; the digital version of myself can read most of the emails.
In addition to avatars, Zoom will allow AI to integrate with more third-party productivity apps such as Zendesk and Asana, and introduce new personalization options.