Protect Zoom meetings by managing AI bots
From: Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies and Division of Information Technology
Artificial Intelligence agents (commonly known as “AI bots”) have grown in popularity, with many vendors offering AI bots that create transcripts and summaries of virtual meetings, record meetings, or monitor meetings in some other way.
The presence of bots in Zoom meetings may introduce security and privacy risks if personally identifiable information (PII) is shared in the meeting, or if data is transmitted to a third-party company that does not have a contractual agreement with Virginia Tech. In addition, AI bots can surprise meeting hosts and attendees by sending a meeting summary to all participants, which can include information shared when some of those participants were not in the meeting. Meeting hosts can choose to block unwanted AI bots in Zoom meetings or communicate their expectations regarding the use of AI bots to meeting attendees. Keep in mind that any AI bots should be university-approved software to be allowed in Virginia Tech Zoom meetings.
To avoid potential problems caused by third-party bots, Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) and the Division of Information Technology recommend using Zoom AI Companion. Zoom AI Companion offers many of the same features offered by third-party bots, is included in Virginia Tech Zoom accounts, and is approved by the university for data security.
TLOS provides end-user support, training, quality assurance, and documentation for enterprise learning systems and services like Zoom. The Division of IT provides computer and technology services and support for all enterprise-wide software platforms, including Zoom, with a focus on infrastructure, collaborative platforms, research computing, and the security of Virginia Tech's information technology resources and data. For assistance using and selecting software, contact 4Help.vt.edu, or browse software packages available to students or departments at the Software Service Center.