White-collar workers are increasingly sending artificial intelligence assistants to attend virtual meetings in their place. This trend saves time but also introduces complex new questions about workplace etiquette, privacy, and the value of human interaction.
In an article for The Washington Post, journalists Lisa Bonos and Danielle Abril describe how these AI tools can join a video call to record, transcribe, and summarize the discussion for a person who does not attend. They recount the experience of one professional who found himself in a meeting where AI note-takers outnumbered human participants.
The practice raises concerns about privacy and open communication. Allie K. Miller, an AI expert, told the reporters that the constant presence of recording bots can stifle genuine discussion. Another professional, Liz Henderson, was shocked when a transcript of her words from a meeting was displayed to hundreds of colleagues without her prior consent.
The use of these bots also carries legal risks. According to the report, lawyers warn that recording conversations without permission can violate wiretapping laws, which differ by jurisdiction. Some apps can even record a computer’s audio without visibly joining a call, making them undetectable to other attendees.
While some see a surplus of AI attendees as a sign that a meeting could have been an email, the technology continues to advance. Zoom’s CEO has stated a goal of creating “digital twins”: AI assistants that could one day not only attend meetings for people but also take action on their behalf.
