Work meetings can often be a dreaded part of the day for many professionals, but could artificial intelligence (AI) be the key to making them more bearable and productive? Jaime Teevan, chief scientist at Microsoft, had a transformative experience during a meeting with Satya Nadella and Sam Altman, where she saw the potential of AI firsthand.

Teevan’s encounter with OpenAI’s ChatGPT left her convinced that AI has the power to revolutionize the way meetings are conducted. While traditional computing has focused on efficiency, AI has the ability to generate ideas and facilitate reflection, offering a new dimension to meetings.

Despite the potential benefits of AI in meetings, the majority of work gatherings are often deemed ineffective. Elon Musk famously criticized the prevalence of excessive meetings in large companies, a sentiment echoed by many professionals. Studies have shown that brain activity decreases during virtual meetings, such as those conducted over platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.

The shift to online meetings, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has paved the way for AI integration in virtual gatherings. Leading video conferencing providers like Zoom, Teams, and Meet have introduced AI-powered assistants to enhance user experience. These assistants can transcribe meetings, suggest questions, summarize discussions, and even participate on behalf of users.

Husayn Kassai, founder of Quench AI, envisions a future where AI coaches accompany individuals to meetings, boosting productivity and efficiency. With AI support, meetings are poised to become more streamlined and effective, offering a glimpse into the future of work collaboration.