Artificial Intelligence (AI) has often been portrayed as a malevolent force in popular culture. We cannot forget the murderous HAL 9000 of 2001: A Space Odyssey or Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mechanical assassin in The Terminator. However, with the integration of AI into various aspects of our daily lives, it has become less scary and more helpful. This article discusses how using AI in Microsoft Teams can benefit your business and the challenges you may face.
AI you’re currently using
Microsoft Teams is a powerful platform for communication and collaboration that helps businesses stay connected and productive. Although you might not be aware, Microsoft Teams first started integrating AI-based functionality into the app in 2019. With the recent launch of an AI library, Microsoft Teams enables developers to integrate Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT into their Teams apps, creating conversational experiences that can transform our Teams meetings. These features currently include:
- Customisable background: This feature uses AI to blur or replace your background during video calls, creating a professional appearance and minimising distractions.
- Noise suppression: This feature uses AI to filter out background noise during meetings, making it easier to hear and communicate with other participants.
- Live captions: This feature uses AI to transcribe speech in real-time during meetings, making it easier for participants to follow along. It also improves inclusivity for international teams and hearing-impaired team members.
- Presenter mode: This feature uses AI to place the presenter in front of the shared content, making the presentation more engaging.
Understanding natural language
The AI library is a collection of code that makes it easier for developers to add AI to their Teams apps. This means that developers can make apps that can understand what users want using natural language. This will let users talk to their apps like they talk to other people and get helpful and relevant answers.
AI challenges
You can improve your workflows and enhance your team dynamics by embracing AI-powered features and tools. However, you may also face some challenges when implementing AI-powered features and tools, such as:
- Data privacy concerns: You may have to ensure that your data is secure and compliant with the relevant regulations when using AI-powered features and tools.
- Lack of understanding: You may have to provide training and support for your teams to help them understand the benefits of AI and how to use it effectively.
- Resistance from employees: You may have to address the fears and concerns of your employees who may feel threatened by automation or prefer traditional methods.
To overcome these challenges, you can provide training and support for your teams, communicate the benefits of AI clearly, and involve them in the decision-making process.
New Teams functionality
Here are three possible solutions that use the new AI library for Microsoft Teams, and how they can help businesses:
- A scheduling bot: This is an app that can help you plan meetings and events with your co-workers and customers using everyday language. For example, you can type “plan a meeting with John next week” and the app will find the best time and date for both of you, send an invitation, and add it to your calendars. This app can save you time and trouble and avoid mistakes and conflicts in planning.
- A summarisation bot: This is an app that can help you make short and accurate summaries of long texts, articles, or reports. For example, you could type “make a summary of this report for me” and the app will make a summary that shows the main points and key results. This app can help you understand information quickly and easily and remember it better.
- A translation bot: This app can change text or speech from one language to another using normal words. For example, you can type “change this message to French” and the app will give you the French translation. This app can help you talk to people from different countries and cultures and learn new languages and skills.
More time to focus on the important stuff
AI integration in Microsoft Teams is an exciting opportunity for businesses looking to streamline their communication and improve their productivity. With the AI library, developers can integrate LLMs into their Teams apps, creating conversational experiences that can revolutionise our Teams meetings. By embracing AI-powered features and tools, businesses can improve their workflows and enhance teamwork.
Find out more
If you would like to know more about how your business can harness the power of AI integration with Microsoft Teams and other business applications, contact Modern Networks today.
Sources:
Microsoft Teams Dev Center | AI
Build your own app’s copilot with the new Teams AI library (microsoft.com)