Artificial studio look: Google's free AI filter for video conferencing

The cloud-based collaboration suite Google Workspace is getting additional AI functions. In the video conferencing tool Google Meet, users can use artificial intelligence to edit the image and sound quality of their video transmissions and generate their backgrounds. Google Chat is also getting an automatic translation function for incoming messages. It is not necessary to purchase an additional Gemini add-on.

AI simulates studio lighting for video conferences

During video conferences, the Google AI Gemini analyzes the video stream for a “studio look”. It filters the image noise and subsequently sharpens the user's face to make it stand out from its surroundings. In addition to this image correction, the user also has a virtual light adjustment function. Gemini simulates two studio lights that automatically illuminate the user's face. Alternatively, their position, brightness, and color temperature can be individually adjusted.

Gemini also allows users to generate their backgrounds for video conferences. Predefined style options such as office spaces or bookshelves are available for this purpose. Gemini also analyzes and revises the audio track to restore missing or distorted frequencies. Google wants to improve the intelligibility of users who use Bluetooth headsets or take part in a conference by phone. The feature is enabled by default for web users with noise reduction switched on and when dialing in by phone.

Google Chat translates 120 languages

In the diagram tool Google Drawings, Gemini can be used to remove backgrounds from images before users insert them into their illustrations. Presentations in Google Docs also contain this function. Gemini also recognizes around 120 languages in incoming messages in Google Chat and automatically translates them into the user's preferred language. The original message remains available for review. Users must activate AI translation themselves in the settings.

The AI functions are available free of charge as part of the Standard and Plus packages of Workspace Business and Enterprise. However, they are not part of Business Starter. All information can be found in the Google developers' blog. For the features in Google Meet, a gradual introduction has already begun and should be completed within two weeks. This does not include image correction, which will be released on March 18, 2025. The functions for Google Chat and Drawings are already available. Google Search also recently received additional AI functions.

(sfe)