Latest news with #videoConferencing
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Police announce Eid Al Adha visiting hours for inmates
Dubai Police have announced special visiting hours for inmates during the Eid Al Adha holiday, with video conferencing made available to facilitate communication between inmates and their families. The General Department of Punitive and Correctional Institutions confirmed that families of both male and female inmates, whether residing inside or outside the country, can connect with their loved ones virtually on the first and second days of Eid, from 8am to 12pm. To access the service, families must submit a request through the Dubai Police smartphone app. Once approved, they will receive a text message with the call time and a link to initiate the video call, allowing for a smoother and more personal connection during the festive period. 'The video conferencing service has shown strong results since its introduction, helping maintain family ties, particularly for relatives who are unable to visit in person,' said Major General Marwan Abdul Karim Julfar, Director of the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Institutions. He noted that the initiative reflects Dubai Police's commitment to providing a humane and supportive environment that takes into account the psychological and social needs of inmates. The service uses advanced technical infrastructure developed in cooperation with the General Department of Artificial Intelligence. The initiative is part of a broader set of preparations by Dubai Police for the Eid Al Adha break, which also includes public safety campaigns and traffic advisories. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the release of 963 inmates from correctional facilities across the country. He also pledged to settle the financial obligations tied to their sentences, offering a fresh start to those who have served their time. Following this, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, ordered the release of 225 prisoners who demonstrated good conduct during their sentences. In Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, also ordered the release of 439 inmates from the Sharjah Punitive and Correctional Institution, in line with the values of compassion and forgiveness that mark the Eid holiday.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Could Live AI Video Become The Next Zoom?
Could AI video conferencing replace Zoom? Akool AI Camera, with its digital avatars and real-time ... More translation, aims to transform enterprise communication. Video conferencing has become a mainstay of remote work in the post-COVID era. As businesses sought ways to communicate virtually, solutions like Zoom stepped up their game and became a go-to tool for many companies. It's no longer impossible to hold a digital business meeting with participants from different cities and time zones. Examining the impact of video calls in enterprise growth, Zoom released a report in 2021 which revealed some interesting insights. Company executives in industries such as Healthcare (67% of respondents) and Technology (84% of respondents) reported massive successes following their decisions to adopt Zoom calls in lieu of physical gatherings. While the ease of using video conferencing solutions like Zoom have boosted calls for the implementation of remote work or, at least, a hybrid working structure, there have been some concerns. A major limitation to the widespread adoption of video calls in the workplace is the absence of non-verbal signals, a feature that can easily be found in a personal interaction. During a typical check-in virtual call, the participants can see themselves and speak in real time. However, Zoom calls are not designed for speakers to maintain eye contact with their audience or for their body language to be easily interpreted. Essentially, it's one face speaking to many other faces across the world, and that can be less engaging as a study has shown. But what if there's a way for teams across time zones to communicate without worrying about things such as body language or language barriers? AI is leading the way in the live generative video game, and the AI-powered Live Camera tool by Akool is not to be underestimated. With exciting use cases ranging from digital avatar-based communication to live multilingual translations, virtual meetings can feel more natural now. Developed using modern AI technologies including on-device 4D facial mapping, neural voice engines, and a context-aware rendering that can modify an avatar's body language based on audience feedback, Akool Live Camera treats viewers to hyper-realistic video content that is neither pre-recorded or scripted. Beyond digital check-ins in a company, video conferencing can also be applied in some other cases. For instance, a C-level executive can lead a company-wide training session from their home office or even a coffee shop. Unlike the regular virtual meetings that are held over Zoom or Microsoft Teams, AI-powered live videos seek to transform video conferencing. In cases where an American CEO on a Zoom call may rely on closed captions on Zoom to understand a Romanian client, Akool Live Camera simplifies things for everyone. It simply needs to adopt a life-like avatar of the Romanian and adjust their language to English. Additionally, the avatar can pass the human test by using gestures, body language, and other elements of human interaction. Commenting on his company's latest AI-driven product, Dr Jiajun Lu, founder and CEO of Akool believes that they're doing more than just improving the way video calls are done. 'With Akool Live Camera, we're transforming how it's made,' he said in an interview. In today's world of corporate communications, team members can no longer see video conferencing as solely a means of catching up on current projects or for strategizing new steps. AI has long been touted as a catalyst for significant change as exemplified in healthcare and manufacturing. It's time company-wide meetings get a taste of what AI is cooking. AI Live Video technology can make it possible for a guest speaker to not only be heard by viewers across different time zones, but in their respective languages. Through AI-generated avatars, a speaker can share insights in English while the avatars immediately tweak the language to match viewers' diverse needs. Beyond real-time translation, the avatars can sync their lip movements at the right moment, making it difficult to tell that a human isn't speaking. 'This isn't just pre-recorded AI. It's responsive, expressive, and disrupts how humans show up in the real world,' Lu noted. According to Grandview Research, the global AI video market size was estimated at $5.53 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 35.3% from 2024 to 2030, reaching $42.29 billion by 2030. The research firm also estimates the global digital avatar market size at $18.19 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 49.8% from 2024 to 2030. This surge is being driven by demand for scalable communication tools that reduce localization costs, increase reach and personalize interactions. For the Harvard Business Review, Dash Bibhudatta notes that as AI usage in the workplace continues to expand, team meetings will no longer be the same. He adds that AI can 'unlock infinite possibilities for team and organisation.' And that's what Akool's AI Camera is built on — expanding the possibilities of collaborations for employees. Another interesting use case of AI Live Camera as demonstrated by Akool's newest tool is in company-wide training. Training sessions are crucial to business growth as they provide workers the opportunity to acquire new skills which can enhance their operations. Employee satisfaction and increased productivity are some of the obtainable benefits of workplace training. Interestingly, more companies now prefer to deliver training using computer-based methods like videoconferencing. A recent Statista research found that the majority of US-based company-wide training sessions in 2024 were held online, with large corporations preferring a virtual classroom or webcast as a means of instruction. Instead of a multinational company stretching its budget by scouting for multiple speakers fluent in different languages, an AI-led avatar of an instructor can deliver lectures to team members in Beijing, Paris, London and Montevideo using each region's most spoken language. All of this is done in real-time, ensuring that no region feels left out. By eliminating the need for pre-recorded content, interpreters, or travel coordination, companies stand to save tens of thousands of dollars annually, especially when applied at scale across global teams. This means there's no need to spend time on pre-production or rehearsals, saving companies valuable time and money. Of course, not all companies are ready to swap out human presence for digital avatars. Some worry about trust, emotional authenticity, or whether avatars might create an uncanny experience in high-stakes meetings. Others raise regulatory questions around disclosure and digital identity. These concerns are valid and may slow adoption in industries where personalization and nuance are critical. But for anyone who doubts the ability of digital avatars to successfully handle discussions or training sessions, it's worth mentioning that Akool Live Camera reduces the likelihood of human error. While an AI avatar of a company executive speaks to employees across the world, said avatar will not succumb to human mistakes such as failing to unmute themselves, not being able to share screens, or maintaining eye contact. And though AI technology has not yet been perfected, it has proven to be a reliable alternative to humans in some instances. This is one of such scenarios. Beyond the corporate landscape, AI digital avatars could become the next big thing in a field like customer experience. Imagine a digital avatar of a customer support worker attending to a client's complaint while delivering the non-verbal cues of a human being such as smiles and gestures. By personalizing interactions with customers, businesses are more likely to enjoy increased client satisfaction, among other returns on their investment. These outcomes are also possible in fields like sales and online learning. Consider the experience of NongHyup Bank, one of South Korea's biggest financial institutions. In 2022, it added two AI avatars to its customer support team and tasked them with helping customers to find specific banking services that were right for them. The Korean bank's use case demonstrates the far-reaching potentials of AI avatars as a digital identity for every industry player. Workplace communication has evolved from physical meetings to emails to Zoom calls and now AI-powered video calls. Akool Live Camera and other AI tools can serve as the next foundational layer for corporate communications, and Lu agrees with this assertion. He noted that 'the future of AI video generation isn't just digital — it's dynamic, avatar-driven, and universally accessible in real time.' And that's what matters. Global teams should be able to hold strategy sessions, partake in employee training, and other affairs without worrying about network delays, language barriers, and the lack of non-verbal signals. Whether this becomes the next Zoom or the next enterprise add-on remains to be seen, but the economics of AI-powered avatars are beginning to shift the conversation from novelty to necessity. But the message from industry leaders like Lu is that what a human speaker can do on Zoom, a digital avatar can do three times more without the need for pre-production or a script. The tides of videoconferencing are changing and steering companies into the next phase of communication is no other innovation than AI. As these AI-powered avatars become more lifelike, the real question isn't just about what they can do, but whether companies are ready to rethink who gets to speak, in what voice and for whom.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Logitech is Flipping the Script on Complex Meetings with Rally Board 65
All-in-one video solution packs advanced capabilities into a simple, mobile conferencing device SINGAPORE and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia and HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI), today announced Rally Board 65, an all-in-one portable video conference solution that combines intelligent audio and video with a 65" touchscreen display. Rally Board 65 is simple enough to roll on a cart into satellite offices, yet sophisticated enough to pack a suite of AI-powered features, occupancy and environmental detection into traditional meeting rooms. Businesses face this dilemma every day: they want to provide modern video conferencing tools for their hybrid workforces, but IT teams are grappling with increasing workloads as their tech environments become more complicated. "Today's hybrid workforce demands that every space—be it an open area, a traditional meeting room, or a collaboration zone—be video‑enabled and ready for spontaneous collaboration," said Sharon Seah, Head of Sales (Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam), Logitech for Business. "That insight led us to ask: how do you deliver enterprise‑grade conferencing intelligence without the deployment headaches? Rally Board 65 is our answer—a flexible, plug‑and‑play platform that dismantles the complexity companies face." The powerful, all-in-one video conferencing solution can be up and running within minutes in Android, PC, or BYOD mode, whether teams use Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet*. Simply roll Rally Board 65 on a cart into an open space and flip the device 180 degrees to orient the camera at eye level, or install it in a meeting room with the camera above or below the screen–all with very little IT support. Building on its exceptionally sharp 4K video, Rally Board 65 comes loaded with AI-powered audio visual tech RightSight 2 and RightSound 2 that have become hallmarks of Logitech's video bars. To further refine the experience, Camera Zone limits visual framing and Mic Zone minimizes sound pickup within a designated area. The new Depth Blur technique obscures surroundings, an effect similar to background blur people are accustomed to using on their desktops during video calls. "Think of this trio as a digital cocoon for meetings in open spaces," said Henry Levak, VP of Product, Logitech for Business. "Rally Board 65 uses 3D spatial mapping technology to focus on the action in the meeting, not outside distractions." Sensors within Rally Board 65 detect the presence of people so that IT teams can get accurate readings of how and when employees are using video spaces. These sensors also analyze environmental data like humidity, temperature, and CO2 levels, assign a room health and later, will provide a room energy score, then deliver recommendations to increase ventilation, take breaks, or reduce the number of seats in a room. Insights are fed into Logitech Sync, a centralized platform for IT teams to get a bird's eye view of their organization, drill down for details on specific room performance, and automatically book and release rooms. Approach to SustainabilityUsing our Design for Sustainability principles, Rally Board 65 was engineered to minimize its environmental impact, using up to 41%* next-life plastics, low-carbon aluminum, recycled fabrics, and FSC-certified packaging. Environmental benefits go beyond physical design. The radar system in Rally Board 65 allows the device to automatically switch to a lower power state when no one is in the space–a function that can significantly reduce the power consumption of customers' commercial buildings. Occupancy, room health, and energy sensing capabilities are also available in a standalone device, Logitech Spot. * Certification details here ** Graphite: 41%, Off-white: 27% About LogitechLogitech designs software-enabled hardware solutions that help businesses thrive and bring people together when working, creating, gaming and streaming. As the point of connection between people and the digital world, our mission is to extend human potential in work and play, in a way that is good for people and the planet. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI). Find Logitech and more of its business products and enterprise solutions at the company blog, Logitech Business or @LogitechBiz. ### Logitech and other Logitech marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Logitech Europe S.A. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information about Logitech and its products, visit the company's website at LOGIIR View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Logitech
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Logitech is Flipping the Script on Complex Meetings with Rally Board 65
All-in-one video solution packs advanced capabilities into a simple, mobile conferencing device MANILA, Philippines and JAKARTA, Indonesia and BANGKOK, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI), today announced Rally Board 65, an all-in-one portable video conference solution that combines intelligent audio and video with a 65" touchscreen display. Rally Board 65 is simple enough to roll on a cart into satellite offices, yet sophisticated enough to pack a suite of AI-powered features, occupancy and environmental detection into traditional meeting rooms. Businesses face this dilemma every day: they want to provide modern video conferencing tools for their hybrid workforces, but IT teams are grappling with increasing workloads as their tech environments become more complicated. "Hybrid workers expect every workspace—open areas, huddle rooms, training zones—to be video‑ready at a moment's notice," said Michael Long, Head of Sales (Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia), Logitech for Business. "We set out to pair enterprise‑level intelligence with zero‑friction deployment. The result is Rally Board 65—a radically simple, yet supremely powerful conferencing system that shatters the cycle of tech complexity." The powerful, all-in-one video conferencing solution can be up and running within minutes in Android, PC, or BYOD mode, whether teams use Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet*. Simply roll Rally Board 65 on a cart into an open space and flip the device 180 degrees to orient the camera at eye level, or install it in a meeting room with the camera above or below the screen–all with very little IT support. Building on its exceptionally sharp 4K video, Rally Board 65 comes loaded with AI-powered audio visual tech RightSight 2 and RightSound 2 that have become hallmarks of Logitech's video bars. To further refine the experience, Camera Zone limits visual framing and Mic Zone minimizes sound pickup within a designated area. The new Depth Blur technique obscures surroundings, an effect similar to background blur people are accustomed to using on their desktops during video calls. "Think of this trio as a digital cocoon for meetings in open spaces," said Henry Levak, VP of Product, Logitech for Business. "Rally Board 65 uses 3D spatial mapping technology to focus on the action in the meeting, not outside distractions." Sensors within Rally Board 65 detect the presence of people so that IT teams can get accurate readings of how and when employees are using video spaces. These sensors also analyze environmental data like humidity, temperature, and CO2 levels, assign a room health and later, will provide a room energy score, then deliver recommendations to increase ventilation, take breaks, or reduce the number of seats in a room. Insights are fed into Logitech Sync, a centralized platform for IT teams to get a bird's eye view of their organization, drill down for details on specific room performance, and automatically book and release rooms. Approach to Sustainability Using our Design for Sustainability principles, Rally Board 65 was engineered to minimize its environmental impact, using up to 41%* next-life plastics, low-carbon aluminum, recycled fabrics, and FSC-certified packaging. Environmental benefits go beyond physical design. The radar system in Rally Board 65 allows the device to automatically switch to a lower power state when no one is in the space–a function that can significantly reduce the power consumption of customers' commercial buildings. Occupancy, room health, and energy sensing capabilities are also available in a standalone device, Logitech Spot. * Certification details here ** Graphite: 41%, Off-white: 27% About Logitech Logitech designs software-enabled hardware solutions that help businesses thrive and bring people together when working, creating, gaming and streaming. As the point of connection between people and the digital world, our mission is to extend human potential in work and play, in a way that is good for people and the planet. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI). Find Logitech and more of its business products and enterprise solutions at the company blog, Logitech Business or @LogitechBiz. ### Logitech and other Logitech marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Logitech Europe S.A. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information about Logitech and its products, visit the company's website at LOGIIR View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Logitech Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zoom: Fiscal Q1 Earnings Snapshot
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Zoom Communications Inc. (ZM) on Wednesday reported fiscal first-quarter earnings of $254.6 million. On a per-share basis, the San Jose, California-based company said it had net income of 81 cents. Earnings, adjusted for stock option expense and non-recurring costs, came to $1.43 per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 11 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.30 per share. The video-conferencing company posted revenue of $1.17 billion in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts. Ten analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.16 billion. For the current quarter ending in July, Zoom expects its per-share earnings to range from $1.36 to $1.37. The company said it expects revenue in the range of $1.2 billion for the fiscal second quarter. Zoom expects full-year earnings in the range of $5.56 to $5.59 per share, with revenue ranging from $4.8 billion to $4.81 billion. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights ( using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on ZM at Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
