Revolutionizing Communication and Collaboration

Explore Cisco’s groundbreaking AI strategy for Webex and the innovative Webex AI Assistant. Redefining communication and collaboration with real-time audio and video solutions, Cisco sets a new standard for productivity and responsible AI in the modern hybrid work landscape.

At the WebexOne event, Cisco has unveiled a new AI strategy for Webex, aiming to enhance communication and collaboration. This strategy sets itself apart from other AI solutions that primarily concentrate on text and documents by utilizing real-time audio and video communications to address common challenges, such as ensuring clear audio and video calls and meetings even under low bandwidth conditions. In addition, Cisco has introduced the Webex AI Assistant with advanced capabilities designed to boost productivity and accuracy for its customers. This AI strategy and assistant will be integrated across the entire Webex portfolio, spanning the Webex Suite, Cisco Collaboration devices, Webex Contact Center, Webex Connect, and Webex Control Hub. Notably, Webex’s AI capabilities are currently undergoing testing by organizations like McLaren Racing and Team DSM.

Jeetu Patel, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Cisco Security and Collaboration, expressed the significance of AI in enabling hybrid work in the modern era. He highlighted the pervasive integration of AI into the Webex platform and its potential to revolutionize various aspects of communication and collaboration.

Introducing Real-Time Media Models (RMMs) in Webex, Cisco is introducing a feature that leverages visual and audible cues, such as gestures and participant movements during meetings, to provide valuable context for human interactions. RMMs enhance the quality of audio and video, recognizing people, objects, and analyzing actions like movements and gestures. These RMMs can also provide context signals for traditional text-based capabilities like meeting summaries and highlights, offering users rich real-time insights. For instance, in the future, Webex may be able to recognize when a meeting participant temporarily leaves the meeting and capture relevant meeting notes to bring them up to speed upon their return.

To address network-related disruptions that can affect audio and video quality during calls and meetings, Cisco has introduced a new AI Codec in Webex. This generative AI solution is designed to deliver crystal-clear audio under varying network conditions, even in areas with unreliable connectivity. It enhances audio quality through features like network packet loss recovery, noise removal, de-reverberation, and bandwidth extension. Webex will also utilize machine learning techniques to improve video quality with Super Resolution, ensuring high-definition video in any bandwidth condition.

Furthermore, the newly launched Webex AI Assistant offers users a set of capabilities designed to enhance productivity and reduce IT-related costs. Users can ask the assistant questions about meetings, and it provides real-time responses. This AI Assistant is already integrated into Cisco Collaboration devices and will extend to the entire Webex portfolio. Its capabilities include changing message tones, suggesting responses for contact center agents, providing meeting summaries, message summaries, and Slido topic summaries. These capabilities are expected to become available in stages, with shipping slated to commence before the end of 2023.

Webex’s approach to AI involves a combination of various Large Language Models (LLMs) tailored to specific use cases. This federated approach combines commercial, open source, Cisco-proprietary, and select customer models to deliver the best possible user experience.

Finally, Cisco emphasizes its commitment to responsible AI. They have incorporated AI into their offerings, adhering to standards of transparency, fairness, accountability, privacy, security, and reliability from the outset. This commitment aligns with Cisco’s Responsible AI Framework, ensuring the security and ethics of their Webex AI strategy and AI Assistant capabilities.

Cisco’s unveiling of their new AI strategy for Webex and the introduction of the Webex AI Assistant mark significant milestones in the realm of communication and collaboration. By harnessing the power of AI for real-time audio and video interactions, Webex aims to overcome common challenges and empower users with invaluable insights and capabilities. With a commitment to responsible AI, Cisco ensures that security, privacy, and ethical considerations are at the forefront of their innovative solutions. As we move forward into this new era of hybrid work, these advancements promise to redefine how we communicate and collaborate, ultimately enhancing productivity and enabling individuals and organizations to reach their full potential.