The future of video conferencing is bright. As AV technology rapidly evolves, staying up-to-date with the latest innovations is crucial for businesses aiming to stay competitive and stand out in a tech-driven world.
A lot has changed since the early days of video-based communication. Today, many businesses are entirely remote, depending solely on video conferencing equipment to communicate. Even hybrid and in-office companies implement video conferencing systems as a way to stay connected globally.
Current video conferencing trends are changing the game in a big way, and there’s no doubt that the coming years will continue to bring exciting updates that transform how we communicate and collaborate. Let’s explore the key trends every business needs to know.
1. AI-Driven Productivity
Unsurprisingly, AI tops the list. The rapidly emerging technology has become ubiquitous throughout virtually every facet of the digital landscape, and video conferencing is certainly no exception.
Forward-thinking individuals and organizations are able to use AI in a myriad of ways to boost productivity. Here are a few examples.
Meeting Summaries
Although AI-driven meeting transcriptions aren’t brand new, the staggering progression of AI has made meeting summaries one of the video conferencing trends worth watching.
In contrast to the rudimentary AI transcriptions of the past, today’s meeting summaries are essentially indistinguishable from a document that a skilled professional would have put together.
The future of video conferencing caters to post-meeting updates, as well as real-time communication. Virtual assistants like Zoom AI Companion and Microsoft Copilot can create comprehensive overviews of video sessions—not just transcriptions, but detailed reports—ensuring that important details are never missed.
Real-Time Assisting
In addition to providing post-meeting wrap-ups, AI assistants can help throughout the meeting in real-time. This allows participants and team leaders to focus on the conversation while AI handles various tasks behind the scenes.
AI-powered video conferencing trends can take countless forms. For instance, you’re discussing a specific document, the AI assistant could locate said document and put it on screen.
Or, say you’re planning the next meeting. The AI assistant could detect the conversation, pull up the calendar, and determine the best date and time when participants will be available.
Data-Driven Suggestions
AI can analyze various aspects of your meetings, such as their duration, number of participants, and schedule. With this data, your AI assistant can make targeted, highly relevant recommendations, such as suggesting apps or software that would improve your meetings.
2. AI-Enhanced Audio and Video
We’re not done with AI just yet! These video conferencing trends focus more on the technical, gear-based side of the meetings—improvements that lead to a better overall UX (user experience) for participants.
Some state-of-the-art cameras have AI-based video enhancements, such as panning, zooming, tilting, and focusing. They ensure that users are always centered and focused, creating a uniform look in every box. The future of video conferencing is tidy!
Furthermore, AI can be used to control cameras during presentations. Say there’s a speaker on stage delivering a presentation to a remote audience. The camera can follow the speaker’s movements, creating a professional presentation without the need for human camera operators.
AI is also being incorporated into microphones and audio systems. This is one of the most exciting and much-needed video conferencing trends. AI noise cancellation can differentiate between ambient room sounds and human voices, ensuring that everyone is always heard loud and clear, even in large meetings.
3. Smart Whiteboards
Smart whiteboards like the Yealink MeetingBoard take the concept of conference room hubs to the next level. These interactive displays combine the traditional whiteboard with cutting-edge technology, allowing for dynamic, real-time collaboration.
Smart whiteboards are a perfect example of how video conferencing can take a core meeting room concept—writing on a whiteboard—and make it not only accessible to remote and in-person users but significantly better in every way.
This is one of those video conferencing trends that really needs to be experienced first-hand to be fully appreciated. Being able to have the entire team access and edit the whiteboard in real time from their personal device anywhere in the world is a serious game-changer.
4. Intelligent Environment Optimization
It’s clear that the future of video conferencing will be heavily influenced by AI, but don’t overlook the Internet of Things (IoT)—a network of physical devices that are all interconnected and exchange data to optimize and control the overarching system.
In a video conferencing scenario, IoT can connect various objects, such as cameras, microphones, speakers, and sensors, as well as control systems for lighting and temperature. Throughout the meeting, conditions are monitored and adjusted as needed to create an ideal environment.
IoT video conferencing trends are worth watching, as being able to link your entire ecosystem together offers profound implications. Rather than relying on independent components that need to be tweaked throughout the meeting, your IoT system automates the details in real time.
Transform Your Workspace With Cutting-Edge Tech
We’ve barely scratched the surface, but we hope this quick guide to emerging video conferencing trends has been insightful.
If you’re ready to take a giant leap forward, explore our expert-curated selection of video conferencing equipment. We only stock best-in-class products from the top AV brands, so shop with confidence.
While some of these video conferencing trends may seem out of reach, they’re much more accessible than many realize. If you’re ready to join the future of video conferencing, let’s talk. We’ll be happy to recommend conference equipment and desktop hardware that puts you ahead of the competition.
Contact us now for a free, 10-minute consultation with a knowledgeable AV specialist. Level up how you communicate and collaborate.
