In a groundbreaking announcement at the Cloud Next conference, Google has unveiled a suite of AI-driven features for its video conferencing tool, Google Meet. The upcoming features are set to redefine the way we perceive and participate in virtual meetings.
AI-Powered Note-Taking
One of the standout features is the integration of Google’s Duet AI, that can instantly capture notes as events unfold. Users merely have to click on “take notes for me,” and the software will generate a concise summary and list of tasks to tackle as the meeting advances.
- Late to a Meeting? No worries. Google Meet will now provide a summary during the meeting to assist attendees catch up.
- Missed Details? Initiate a discreet conversation with a Google chatbot while on the call to address any overlooked details.
- Post-Meeting Recap: Once the meeting concludes, save the summary to your Google Docs. This recap can even feature video snippets of crucial moments.
Duet’s “Attend For Me” Feature
Another captivating update enables Duet to represent users in meetings. By selecting the “attend for me” option in a meeting invitation, Google will craft a message about potential discussion points. These remarks will be available to every participant throughout the session.
This functionality, scheduled for launch the upcoming year, promises to be a game-changer for those with overlapping commitments or those who must miss a session unexpectedly. However, there’s a caveat. If misused, it could lead to attendees avoiding essential meetings, placing undue pressure on those present.
Microsoft and Zoom’s Take
It’s evident that the future of virtual meetings lies in summaries generated by artificial intelligence. Both Microsoft and Zoom have unveiled comparable functionalities. However, the effectiveness of these AI-generated recaps depends on their precision. With AI’s propensity for errors, Google has its work cut out to gain user trust. The note-taking functionality is expected to debut in Google’s Workspace Labs in the upcoming months.
The Evolution of Google Meet
From its early days as “Hangouts Meet,” Google Meet has undergone a significant transformation, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Dave Citron, the Senior Director of Product for Google Meet, commented, “Google Meet has truly transformed over time. We’re now channeling our intense focus to position it as the leading state-of-the-art video conferencing solution in the industry.”
Citron identifies three pivotal “epochs of advancement” for video conferencing:
- The Pandemic Era: A time when many were introduced to video conferencing.
- The Hybrid Work Era: Companies transitioned to a mix of in-office and remote work.
- The Current Era: Marked by the integration of of extensive language and dissemination models, leading to the infusion of AI in products like Meet.
Google Meet’s objective remains unchanged: to create a seamless meeting experience irrespective of location, device, or connection quality. With these AI-driven features, Google is poised to elevate video conferencing to unprecedented heights.
