Bad hair day? Zoom is adding photorealistic avatars to its roadmap

Here is a 197-word summary of the key points from the article: Zoom is adding several new features to its video conferencing platform, including photorealistic avatars and real-time voice translation. The avatar feature will allow users to appear engaged in meetings even if their camera is off, by generating a lifelike digital version of the user that mimics their movements. Zoom is also introducing real-time voice translation, though the specific number of supported languages is unclear. Additionally, Zoom is upgrading its base video quality, enabling 1080p at 60Hz for a smoother, TV-like experience. The company is also integrating AI-powered features like a "Zoomie" assistant that can help manage meetings and tasks. This AI technology will even be available in other platforms like Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. Zoom is expanding beyond just video calls, adding features like writing assistance and research tools. These enhancements are part of Zoom's push to position itself as a full-fledged workplace collaboration platform, competing with offerings from Microsoft and Google. While the new features aim to improve the user experience, some may raise concerns about privacy and AI integration within video meetings.