Use Zoom's AI to Summarize Training and Briefing Meetings

Tool:Zoom
AI Feature:AI Companion Meeting Summary
Time:10-15 minutes
Difficulty:Beginner
Zoom

What This Does

Zoom's AI Companion automatically generates a written summary of what was discussed in a department training, briefing, or planning meeting — so you and your team can review key decisions and action items without rewatching the recording.

Before You Start

  • Your department uses Zoom for training sessions or briefings
  • You have a Zoom account (your department likely has a paid plan that includes AI Companion — check with IT)
  • AI Companion is enabled on your account (account admin enables this in Zoom Admin settings)

Steps

1. Start or join a Zoom meeting as you normally would

Nothing changes in how you run the meeting. AI Companion runs in the background.

2. Enable AI Companion in the meeting (if not already on)

During the meeting, look for the AI Companion button in the bottom toolbar (it may look like a sparkle/star icon). Click it and select Meeting Summary. This starts capturing the meeting content.

3. Run the meeting normally

Zoom's AI listens to the discussion, identifies speakers, and tracks topics. Participants will see a notification that AI summary is active.

4. After the meeting ends, access your summary

Within a few minutes of the meeting ending, Zoom sends the summary to the host's email. It includes:

  • Key topics discussed
  • Action items with owner names
  • Decisions made
  • Next steps

5. Share the summary with your team

Forward the email summary or paste it into your department messaging system. Officers who missed the briefing can catch up in 2 minutes.

Real Example

Scenario: You hosted a 45-minute supervisor training session on updated use-of-force reporting requirements. Three of your officers were on call and couldn't attend.

What you do: Enable AI Companion at the start. Run the training normally.

What you get: A 1-page email summary covering the 4 new UOF documentation requirements, the implementation date, and the follow-up training session date — delivered to your inbox automatically.

Tips

  • Let participants know at the start of the meeting that Zoom AI is summarizing — this is standard courtesy and required by most departments
  • AI Companion works best when speakers identify themselves and speak clearly; summaries from chaotic multi-speaker sessions are less accurate
  • Only use for department meetings that are NOT classified or restricted — never for sensitive operational briefings

Tool interfaces change — if a button has moved, look for similar AI/magic/smart options in the same menu area.