The pandemic has forced us to confront the shortcomings of our current video conferencing solutions. We are all too familiar with the glitches, lags, and connection issues that can make video conferencing a frustrating experience. However, there is hope on the horizon in the form of artificial intelligence (AI).
Researchers are using AI to solve some of the most pressing problems with video conferencing, and the results are promising. Here’s a look at how AI research is reshaping video conferencing.
How AI Research is Reshaping Video Conferencing
There are many potential applications for AI in video conferencing and here are just a few examples of how AI research is reshaping video conferencing:
Enhancing the Video Quality
One of AI’s most obvious ways to improve video conferencing is by enhancing video quality. Researchers use AI to develop algorithms to remove video artifacts, such as noise and blurriness.
These algorithms can also up-sample videos to improve their resolution. This means you can have high-quality video conferences even if your internet connection is not perfect.
Reducing Lags and Connection Issues
Another common issue with video conferencing is lag. This can be caused by several factors, such as poor internet connections or server problems. However, AI can help reduce these lags by using algorithms designed to predict how the video will look a few seconds in the future. This means that the video can start playing sooner, reducing the lag.
Automating Transcription and Translation
Transcribing and translating video conferences can be a time-consuming task. However, AI can automate this process by transcribing the audio in real time and translating it into different languages. This means you can have live subtitles in your video conference, which can be very useful for international meetings.
Improving Security
Video conferencing is not just for business meetings; more and more people are using it for personal calls, such as catch-ups with family and friends. However, this can pose a security risk if the video conference is hacked.
AI can help improve security by identifying unusual activity, such as people trying to access the conference without permission. It can also encrypt the video conference to make it more difficult for hackers to access the data.
Creating More Engaging Experiences
Finally, AI can also be used to create more engaging video conferences. For example, you could use virtual reality (VR) to give participants a tour of your office or factory.
You could also use AI avatars to create virtual meeting rooms. This means that you can hold a video conference in any location, which can be very useful for businesses with international clients.
Examples of AI Research for Reshaping Video Conferencing
There are many different ways that AI can be used to improve video conferencing. Here are some examples of AI research that is currently being conducted or have already been achieved:
Better Connections with Fewer Glitches
One of the biggest problems with video conferencing is maintaining a stable connection. This is often due to overloaded servers or insufficient bandwidth.
Researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) are using AI to solve this problem. They have developed an algorithm to predict when a user’s internet connection will fail.
The algorithm uses data from past failures to identify patterns that indicate an imminent connection issue. This allows the system to automatically reroute traffic to a different server before the user’s connection fails. As a result, users experience fewer glitches and dropped connections.
Smarter Stereo Cameras for Better Video Quality
The quality of a video conference call often depends on the quality of the camera being used. Most laptops come equipped with stereo cameras that use two lenses to capture 3D images. However, these cameras are often not correctly aligned, resulting in blurry or distorted images.
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have developed an AI system that can automatically calibrate stereo cameras. The system uses deep learning to align the images captured by each lens, resulting in sharper and more accurate 3D images. This could lead to better-quality video conferencing calls in the future.
Reducing Bandwidth Requirements with ‘Undercomplete Representations’
Another problem with video conferencing is that it can be very bandwidth-intensive, making it difficult for users with slower internet connections to participate in calls without experiencing lag or other issues.
To solve this problem, researchers from Duke University have developed a new compression technique called “undercomplete representations.” This technique relies on deep learning algorithms to compress videos so they can be transmitted using less bandwidth while preserving image quality.
This could make it possible for users with slower internet connections to participate in video conference calls without experiencing any problems.
The Benefits of Using AI-Powered Video Conferencing
There are many benefits to using AI-powered video conferencing. These include:
- Improved Connection Quality: As mentioned above, AI can be used to predict when a user’s internet connection is about to fail. This allows the system to automatically reroute traffic to a different server before the user’s connection fails. As a result, users experience fewer glitches and dropped connections.
- Smarter Cameras: AI can also be used to calibrate stereo cameras, resulting in sharper and more accurate 3D images. This could lead to better-quality free video conferencing calls in the future.
- Reduced Bandwidth Requirements: Another benefit of using AI for video conferencing is that it can help reduce bandwidth requirements. This is because AI can be used to compress videos in such a way that they can be transmitted using less bandwidth while still preserving image quality.
- Improved User Experience: Overall, using AI for video conferencing enhances user experience. This is because AI can help improve connection quality, reduce bandwidth requirements, and produce higher-quality images.
The Future of AI-Powered Video Conferencing
AI-powered video conferencing is still in its early stages. However, the potential benefits of using AI for this application are significant. As technology develops, AI will likely play an increasingly important role in video conferencing.
This could eventually lead to more widespread use of AI-powered video conferencing systems, which would benefit users and businesses alike.
Conclusion
AI is changing the landscape of video conferencing. By making video calls more reliable and efficient, AI is making it easier for people to connect regardless of location. In the future, AI will likely play an even more critical role in video conferencing as technology continues to develop.
Also Read: First end-to-end encrypted video conferencing service introduced by Wire
