AI and video conferencing – Can tech improve virtual meetings?
A new YouGov survey of 2,027 British adults reveals that 50% regularly (i.e. at least weekly) use video-conferencing software. Microsoft Teams is the most popular, used by 59% of regular users. Zoom comes next at 44%, while FaceTime is used by 24%. Other software options like Google Meet and Skype see less regular use, at 16% and 11% respectively, and platforms like Slack, Cisco WebEx, and GoTo Meeting each have under 5% of regular users.
When looking at video-conferencing software use by working status, Microsoft Teams is the top choice among full-time workers, with 73% using it regularly. Part-time workers are more split between platforms, with 49% using Teams and 48% using Zoom. Among full-time students, 42% rely on Teams, while FaceTime and Google Meet are also popular, used by 34% and 28%, respectively.
Among those who use video-conferencing software regularly, 83% say the tools are effective, and 13% disagree. For those who do not find these meetings very effective, various AI or technological solutions were suggested to improve the experience. The most popular of these solutions is meeting transcription, with 31% of Britons showing interest.
Other suggestions include interactive technologies like digital whiteboards or real-time polls at 20%, real-time feedback on meeting dynamics at 18% (selected by 21% of males compared to only 15% of females), and reminders of who is present in the meeting at 13%. However, three in 10 adults do not believe that AI or other technologies could improve their video-conferencing experience (30%). The results indicated increased scepticism with age, as 40% of those aged 55+ do not think AI or other tech can improve their video-conferencing experience, compared to 18% of 18-24 aged adults.
When asked about their attitudes toward video-conferencing software, 87% of users believe it has helped reduce unnecessary travel, while 74% think it has been a positive addition overall (interestingly, those aged 55+ are significantly less likely to agree with this than their younger peers, at 66%) . The COVID-19 pandemic was seen as a key driver in the evolution of video-conferencing, with 90% agreeing that it accelerated its use.
However, 69% feel that certain elements, such as subtle body language, cannot be fully captured through video. In line with this, over three-quarters (78%) agree that there are certain situations when only a face-to-face meeting will work, rising to 86% of those aged 55+, with most respondents seeing video-conferencing as a useful tool, although not without its limitations.
Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provide quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on September 30 – October 1, 2024, with a nationally/ representative sample of 2027 adults (aged 18+ years) in Great Britain, using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, region, education, and social grade to be representative of all adults in Great Britain (18 years or older) and reflect the latest ONS population estimates.
Cover photo by Anna Shvets