%20cropped.jpg)
Video conferencing has transformed the way we communicate and collaborate, especially in remote and hybrid work environments.
Gone are the days of the telephone-only conference call. In fact, over the past few years, video conferencing has helped to better connect long-distance teams and encouraged communication advancements that are redefining what a standard office meeting looks like.
Today, video conferencing trends are turning toward tools and ideas geared to produce more immersive and productive user experiences. If you are looking to “level up” and be ready for the future of video conferencing, here are the most popular trends and innovations that we’ve been seeing:
- Enhanced Security Measures
- Gamification and Interactive Features
- Integration of AI Technologies
- Video Augmented Reality
- Expanded Video Capabilities
- Live Video Editing
- Speaker Coach
1. Enhanced Security Measures
Video conferences are meant for those attendees that you invite. But as we’ve seen in recent years, some video conferencing software is more secure than others.
If your software has a “public/private” meeting setting, always choose private. Otherwise, anyone with a link to your meeting could join. This can happen as easily as an invited attendee choosing to share a meeting link with an uninvited guest. Or if a video conferencing account is hacked, a threat actor could use the compromised account to “piggyback” their way into a meeting.
For better data management, consider using a video conferencing app with end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication and other advanced security measures that achieve compliance for HIPAA and SOC.
RELATED:What Is Zero Trust Security?
2. Gamification and Interactive Features
The heart of a video conferencing app is the ability to cross-collaborate virtually. Gamification allows attendees to earn points for answering quiz questions correctly, participating in chat discussions and more!
Using interactive features keeps meeting attendees energized and involved in your meeting. Try asking for a “thumbs up” emoji at the beginning of your meeting for your attendees to show that they are ready to start.
When you encourage the use of interactive tools during your video conference, you are also encouraging collaborative creativity. Consider using GIFs, stickers, emojis or write comments/questions in the chat. And always be on the lookout for new interactive features from your video conferencing provider. You never know what cool new features are in the works!
3. Integration of AI Technologies
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more prevalent in everyday business. This includes the use of AI in video conferencing software. AI wizards help new users navigate the video conferencing experience, and predictive text has made typing faster for greater collaboration.
In addition, advanced AI-powered features we’ve seen added to video conferencing apps include:
- Live transcription (in the viewer’s choice of language)
- Tracking a user’s movements (to keep the user centered in the camera’s field of vision)
- Quick navigation to recorded meeting clips
- Meeting analytics
RELATED:The Role of AI in IT Support
AI isn’t going anywhere, and embracing it in video conferencing platforms is a great way to keep up while enhancing your virtual meeting rooms.
4. Video Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is beginning to emerge as a feature for business meetings. With the use of an AR-enabled smartphone/tablet and headset, meeting attendees can collaborate in a three-dimensional virtual reality world and not just a flat screen. This immersive experience can include images, sound and video, bringing traditional business video conferencing to a whole new level.
5. Expanded Video Capabilities
In the early days of remote working, poor video quality (e.g. lagging, freezing or disconnecting) seemed like a daily occurrence. But today, hybrid and remote workers enjoy faster and more reliable internet connections.
Businesses have also embraced the hybrid working trend by helping their workers upgrade their home video setups with HD web cameras, ring lights and headsets for a more professional impression. In addition, corporate offices are adding video conferencing equipment to their conference rooms for greater meeting attendee flexibility.
6. Live Video Editing
Virtual background effects are an option that many use to create a more professional appearance during video meetings. However, some video conferencing vendors are stepping up their game. Vendors are now often including real-time video editing with post-production quality effects during a live video call. These new effects include:
- Backgrounds with motion
- Animated customizable avatars
- Sound effects
- Multiple camera angles into your video feed
7. Speaker Coach
Looking for feedback after giving a video presentation? Many conferencing software packages now include the services of an AI-enabled speaker coach. Meeting organizers can opt to receive a report evaluating their use of filler words (e.g., um, ah, like), repetitive language, inclusiveness, speaking pace, intonation and more.
Technology Management for the Future
Growing businesses are elevating how they approach managed IT services. Join them by partnering with Elevity. Together, we’ll create and implement a holistic and proactive action plan for your business that embraces technology strategies, security solutions and support.
As our name suggests, Elevity elevates security, delivering both comprehensive technology management and integrated co-managed services to growing organizations of all sizes in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
Want to learn more? Download your complimentaryTechnology Inventory Checklist to get started. This resource will help you organize and document your physical and virtual IT assets.
