Zoom Unveils AI Avatars and Smarter AI Companion 3.0
Zoom has unveiled new AI features that could change how users participate in virtual meetings. The platform will soon allow participants to appear through lifelike AI avatars that mirror live video feeds. These avatars provide an alternative for situations when users prefer a polished presence without being on camera. In addition, meeting hosts can customize waiting rooms with AI-generated clips, ensuring attendees receive agenda details and instructions before joining.
The AI avatar rollout is scheduled for December 2025. Alongside this, Zoom introduced AI Companion 3.0, an upgraded assistant that now generates notes across multiple platforms, including Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and even in-person meetings. Paid Zoom Workplace subscribers will gain access to these expanded features. The assistant also integrates with third-party platforms, helping users create documents and other assets while offering deeper research and writing support.
AI Companion 3.0 Features and Benefits
AI Companion 3.0 provides a wide range of enhancements. It enables users to retrieve information across Zoom Workplace and connected services, schedule meetings, and flag potential conflicts. A new “free up my time” function even suggests which meetings can be skipped, based on tasks and user roles. Moreover, in-meeting recommendations prepare attendees with agendas, action items, and insights, making collaboration smoother.
The assistant also improves group work through Zoomie Group Assistant, which answers questions like “What are the team’s action items?” This functionality strengthens collaboration in both meetings and chat. Additionally, AI Companion 3.0 will be available at no extra cost to paid subscribers, starting in November 2025. For small business owners and independent professionals, this decision is especially important, as it reduces costs while offering advanced tools.
Expanding AI Across Workplace and Industry
Zoom has rolled out more features to strengthen its platform. Workplace users will now have access to real-time voice translation, the ability to generate clips from presentations, and improved 60fps video quality. Collaborative documents can also be created directly from meeting discussions using Zoom Whiteboard.
For businesses, a higher-tier subscription introduces Agentic AI Expert Assist, customer experience insights, and Automated Quality Management, with availability beginning in early 2026. Healthcare organizations can benefit from upcoming upgrades to Zoom Virtual Agent, enabling tailored workflows such as patient scheduling and insurance verification. Furthermore, educational institutions can now manage lectures, training, and projects on one video management platform, simplifying administration.
