Zoom is set to make a splash with the launch of AI-powered avatars for sending short video clips, coming in 2025. Later, these personalised AI agents could very well be used to attend Zoom calls on your behalf.

The video-conferencing platform recently announced the introduction of a new feature called “AI Companion 2.0.” This will enable users to create their own AI avatars, which can be customised to record and send short video messages to contacts.

All you’ll have to do is film yourself once, so that Zoom can create your own personal avatar in your likeness. From then on, you’ll be able to write any message you want the avatar to say for you. This will initially only be possible for short video clips, to be shared with friends or colleagues.

The rollout of these avatars is scheduled for early next year via a dedicated extension called Custom AI Companion, available for US$12 a month. Without this extension but with a paid account, you’ll still be able to create an avatar but with predefined faces and voices.

The main advantage of having an avatar on Zoom is that it saves time, especially for users who regularly share video messages. They’ll be able to produce these kinds of clips without having to record them in front of the camera.

Note that safeguards are expected to be put in place to prevent any misuse, notably the creation of deepfakes, and to control the use of these avatars.

In the future, Zoom could even let these AI avatars attend video conferences on behalf of users. As such, this AI double could well one day answer your calls and even take part in meetings in your absence.

This would offer a number of advantages, not least for those who are not very comfortable on camera or who are simply not available at the time of the meeting. Plus, users may one day be able to customise their avatar – for instance, by changing its appearance according to the event.