To push user experience a notch higher, the underlying technology should not only serve as the supporting actor, but also drive the cognitive load down.

Based on the advancement of hybrid work, Cisco Systems Inc. is using artificial intelligence to incorporate innovative features, such as noise isolation and voice optimization, into Webex – an enterprise solution for video conferencing, webinars and online meetings – for maximal cinematic experiences, according to Snorre Kjesbu (pictured), senior vice president and general manager of collaboration devices at Cisco.

“Over the last few years, we’ve added over a thousand new features into Webex, both the meeting service and the front end as well,” he said. “We can lock onto your voice only. We’ve been working on machine learning and AI and had those features out in our products since 2016. We just launched a brand new product this week here at Cisco Live, which is the Room Bar Pro … it gives us 20 times the AI, machine learning capabilities that anyone has had in the past.”

Kjesbu spoke with theCUBE industry analysts John Furrier and Dave Vellante at Cisco Live, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed how Cisco is adopting AI and machine learning for enhanced user experience in a hybrid work environment.

Cisco adopts an open philosophy

Since open source drives more innovation, Cisco embraces this approach for optimal user experience. For instance, third-party applications are accommodated on top of Cisco devices.

“Our philosophy is to be open and to have an open platform where we can actually expose APIs,” Kjesbu said. “We can expose things that will allow other companies to actually develop on top of our solutions to be able to add functionality.”

In the post-COVID era, video has become an ideal stepping stone when rethinking the office. As a result, it has emerged as an enabler of the hybrid work environment, and AI is needed to take it to the next level, according to Kjesbu.

“When we’re out of COVID, we’d need people back in the office for certain tasks,” he stated. “When you’re going to be creative, you’re going to drive innovation. When you’re mentoring people, you want to create that magnet that pulls people back in without doing a mandate.”

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of Cisco Live:

Photo: SiliconANGLE