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Meetings are where ideas are born, decisions are made, and teamwork shines.
But what happens when an AI note-taking bot joins the conversation?
Ever felt a bit annoyed knowing there’s a lifeless square in the meeting instead of another person?
If you've encountered AI bots in meetings, you might know what I’m talking about. While these bots are designed to help, they can sometimes make things a bit awkward.
Let’s dive into why that happens and what makes AI bots a potential source of discomfort during meetings.
The Importance of Consent: Don’t Skip This Step
One of the biggest issues with using AI bots in meetings is the pressure and inconvenience they can create.
Imagine organizing a meeting and then finding out that a colleague has sent an AI bot in their place instead of attending themselves. You’re now faced with the pressure to accept the bot, but you’re not entirely comfortable with it. You might feel annoyed, as you’d naturally prefer your colleague’s active participation rather than a lifeless bot recording the discussion.
This kind of situation doesn’t just create discomfort; it can also undermine the collaborative spirit of the meeting. When participants rely on bots instead of engaging directly, it can diminish the value of the interaction and lead to a less productive discussion.
The key is to manage these situations thoughtfully. Communication is important—making sure everyone understands and agrees on the use of AI bots. This allows everyone to voice their concerns and make informed decisions without feeling pressured at the last minute.
No one likes being blindsided by tech, and not giving a heads-up about AI use can lead to some awkward moments—or worse, resentment.
The Disruption of Natural Meeting Flow
Meetings have a natural rhythm—ideas flow, questions are raised, and there’s usually an organic back-and-forth. But when an AI bot is in the room, that flow can be disrupted.
Unlike other meeting tools, AI bots can create a feeling of distance. Participants might feel like they're being joined by something that doesn't understand the complexities of their interaction.This can make it harder to have open conversations, making the meeting feel more formal or stiff. The atmosphere changes from a collaborative one to one where people are more cautious, reducing the spontaneity and creativity that usually lead to productive discussions.
The result? A meeting where the natural flow is interrupted and the human connection and trust among participants are affected.
The Decline in Active Participation
And let's be honest—when it's just you and a few others in the meeting, with a bunch of bots filling in for the rest, the motivation to share ideas can really take a hit. Why should you do all the talking while others simply read the summary later?
Having bots instead of real colleagues can lead to unequal participation. It's difficult to stay engaged when you know some colleagues aren't there to actively participate. This can result in low energy, shallow discussions, and stalled progress in meetings.
Also, knowing that others will catch up later through a bot-generated summary might cause people to hold back on sharing their best ideas or engaging in meaningful debate.
The spontaneity and immediacy of live interaction are lost, turning dynamic exchanges into one-sided efforts. This not only hampers the effectiveness of the meeting but also risks diminishing the sense of teamwork and shared responsibility among participants.
In the end, meetings thrive on active, real-time participation, and when bots replace people, that essential element of engagement can be significantly weakened.
Fortunately, there’s a better way to capture meetings without the hassle of note-taking or the drawbacks of AI bots.
Try Wudpecker’s desktop & mobile apps!
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