IT AV Services Updates, December 2024

The IT AV Services team is proud to present a new AV recording studio onsite at Berkeley Lab. The new facility is open for recording Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. PT. The studio is located in building 50B near the IT division office. It is used to record high-end audio and video productions that promote the Lab and align with its mission, core values, and branding.

If you’re interested in a recording session, the first step is to gain approval from Strategic Communications or your division communications leadership. Once approved, submit an AV Support form to request a session. A minimum of 48 hours notice is required to book a recording session during the regular hours of operation.

For detailed information about the new AV Recording studio, visit the IT AV Services website.

Zoom Release Notes – December 2024

Zoom provides up-to-date release notes for new features and enhancements. This month, the IT Division’s Audio Visual team (IT AV Services) is highlighting tools to help staff manage third-party note-taking apps during meetings and navigate recent changes to the Zoom Workplace application.

For detailed information about changes or to browse notes by date or by product, visit Zoom Release Notes.

Introducing AI Companion 2.0

The AI Companion in the Zoom Workplace desktop app provides users with a personal assistant that helps users get more done. AI Companion 2.0 is available in Zoom Workplace in a convenient side panel to help users stay up-to-date on important conversations, synthesize information to make faster, more informed decisions. If enabled within the account, users can use the AI diamond to open a right-side panel where they can ask questions and receive tailored responses sourced from different data sources and contexts available to the user. Note: This feature is currently supported in the Zoom Workplace desktop app only.

Learn more about AI Companion 2.0 features and benefits.

Third-Party Note-Taking apps

The use of third-party AI-based note-taking apps for Zoom is only prohibited by Lab policy when the information being discussed is sensitive. Some examples of sensitive topics could include Export Controlled Information or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) for example. If the information being discussed is not sensitive, controlled or marked in any way, Lab employees are welcomed to use third-party AI-based note taking apps.

AI-based apps may also start during a meeting if you invite a user who has the feature enabled on their account. Although Zoom does not have a feature that allows the host to automatically block AI bots from a meeting, you can configure your Zoom meetings to have a waiting room. In the waiting room, the host or co-host can remove AI bots before the meeting begins.

Learn more about How to remove or stop Read.ai from joining meetings.