Let’s review a typical AI meeting summary in more detail. The ones from Zoom look like this:
Quick Recap
The meeting covered discussions between Jack and Jill about going up the hill. The team addressed various temporal and operational matters related to the climb. They agreed it was a great day to fetch a pail of water.
Next Steps
Jack/Jill: Plan hill climb
Jill: Get pail for water
Jack/Jill: Check the condition of shoes
Jack: Contact doctor about vertigo symptoms
Summary
Jack and Jill discussed how to go up the hill. They debated whether to postpone the climb. Jill expressed concern about the terrain and about Jack’s worn-out shoes. Jack argued that his shoes were in fine condition, but that Jill’s were not. Ultimately, they agreed to fetch water from the well. They agreed to climb the hill as quickly as possible.
Fairy tale stuff, in more ways than one. Like most AI summaries, the “agreements” cited are debatable. Did the participants really agree? Did they ever discuss certain tasks as “next steps.” The answer to both questions is a resounding, No.
Therein lies the problem. A simple meeting transcription would be fine. AI, however, adds interpretations of what happened. Those interpretations are often incorrect. I have read AI meeting summaries only to learn that I “agreed” to undertake tasks that I never agreed to do.
That, of course, is why all Zoom AI meeting summaries include this disclaimer: AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy.
Please heed that disclaimer. Or you may find yourself tumbling down a hill of bad data.
Peter has spent the past twenty-plus years as an acting/consulting CFO for a number of small businesses in a wide range of industries. Peter’s prior experience is that of a serial entrepreneur, managing various start-up and turnaround projects. He is a co-founder of Keurig.
