Zoom denies having trained its AI models on calls without consent

Following a backlash over fears that it trained its artificial intelligence (AI) models on customer calls, Zoom has updated its terms of service. The firm in its blogpost stressed that audio, video and chats were not used for AI without consent. The video-calling app acted after users noticed changes to the firm's terms of service in March which they worried enabled AI training.   

Zoom launched new AI-powered features in June, one of which lets clients summarise meetings without having to record an entire session.

Though the features were offered as a free trial, some experts warned the original wording of the terms of service which could have allowed Zoom to access more user data than needed, including from customer calls. 

According to a data protection specialist, the terms appeared to give the service provider a lot of freedom to use data generated by its users for many different purposes. He said that while there was a question mark over the risks that could arise, "alarm bells should ring when you encounter broad contractual provisions like these”. 

On Monday Zoom updated it's terms to include the line "Zoom will not use audio, video or chat customer content to train our artificial intelligence models without your consent". 

Zoom, like many tech companies, has upped its focus on AI products this year in response to the growing hype around the technology.