How Agentic AI is Transforming Work and Driving: Zoom's Skills and Smarter In-Car Assistants

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a transformative force in workplace productivity and everyday technology. Two recent developments highlight this shift: Zoom’s agentic AI features and advancements in in-car AI assistants. Let’s delve into these innovations and explore their implications.

Zoom’s Agentic AI Skills: Beyond Simple Automation

Zoom’s latest upgrade introduces “agentic AI” features, offering more than just standard chatbots. These AI-powered agents operate independently, assisting during and outside meetings. Unlike simple transcription tools, these agents make decisions, take actions, and coordinate tasks, allowing users to focus on their goals.

One remarkable feature is the agents’ ability to manage meeting scheduling by interpreting user preferences, minimizing conflicts, and dynamically adjusting calendar events. During meetings, they monitor agendas, keep discussions on track, and summarize action items in real-time.

Agentic AI shifts from requiring specific commands to anticipating needs and acting accordingly. By analyzing communication patterns, Zoom’s agents adapt to work habits, aligning with the notion of AI as a collaborative partner.

Zoom addresses privacy concerns by making these features opt-in, with clear notifications about data analysis. Meeting content processed by agents stays within the organization’s cloud, with customizable permissions for autonomy levels.

Smarter In-Car AI Assistants on the Horizon

While Zoom enhances workplace productivity, another AI company is revolutionizing in-car assistants. This new platform improves the often clunky experience of vehicle voice assistants, which traditionally struggle with rigid and limited tasks.

The platform enables automakers to deploy AI assistants that understand nuanced commands and sustain context across exchanges. For instance, a driver might say, “It’s a little cold in here,” prompting the assistant to adjust climate settings naturally.

This platform emphasizes context awareness and continuous learning, remembering preferences to tailor each ride to the driver’s habits. It minimizes distractions by keeping dialogues brief and relevant—a crucial factor for safety.

Automakers can customize the AI assistant’s skills and autonomy levels to align with their brand identity, offering a personalized experience to drivers.

The Broader Implications of Agentic AI

Both Zoom’s and the in-car platform’s developments reflect a shift toward agentic AI, systems capable of proactive assistance. People desire technology that quietly works in the background, handling routine tasks without supervision.

For Zoom users, this could mean more efficient meetings and reduced administrative burdens. For drivers, smarter in-car assistants offer natural interactions, reducing frustration and enhancing safety.

These advancements suggest a future where AI agents from different domains collaborate seamlessly. Imagine your office assistant rescheduling a meeting because your car’s assistant reported traffic delays. While such integration is aspirational, it signals AI’s direction toward more connected, capable systems.

Conclusion

Zoom’s agentic AI skills and the new in-car platform highlight AI’s evolution from passive tools to active partners. These systems understand preferences, make choices, and adapt to habits, easing everyday routines. As AI continues to integrate naturally into our lives, it promises a smoother, more intuitive experience, transforming how we work and travel.

By embracing these technologies, we can expect a future where AI not only enhances productivity but also enriches our daily interactions, making technology feel like a seamless extension of our personal and professional lives.