After Klarna, Zoom's CEO also uses an AI avatar on quarterly call
CEOs are now so immersed in AI, they're sending their avatars to address quarterly earnings calls instead of themselves, at least partially.
After the Klarna CEO's AI avatar appeared on an investor call earlier this week, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan followed suit, also using his avatar for initial comments. Yuan deployed his custom avatar via Zoom Clips, the company's asynchronous video creation tool.
"I am proud to be among the first CEOs to use an avatar in an earnings call," he -- or rather his avatar -- said. "It is just one example of how Zoom is pushing the boundaries of communication and collaboration. At the same time, we know trust and security are essential. We take AI-generated content seriously and have built in strong safeguards to prevent misuse, protect user identity, and ensure avatars are used responsibly."
Yuan has long advocated for using avatars in meetings and has previously said that the company aims to create digital twins of users. He's not alone in this vision; the CEO of AI-powered transcription service Otter is reportedly training his own avatar to share the workload.
Meanwhile, Zoom said that it is making the custom avatar add-on feature available to all users this week.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
6 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Forget T-Mobile. This new unlimited 5G offer is so good it has a waiting list
Many users have become very tired of major cell phone carriers and their shenanigans. For example, while T-Mobile managed to add more than 40 times the number of customers Verizon did in 2024, as well as nearly doubling AT&T's new customer number, the carrier has also been the subject of many customer complaints recently. Consumers have accused T-Mobile of price gouging, of obscuring plan costs by not including taxes in the listed price, and of quietly eliminating popular plan options, including Go5G PLUS and Go5G Next Plans. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The company also experienced a five basis point increase in customer churn in 2024, according to its 2025 first quarter earnings report – and rumor has it that it will be increasing its financing plans to 36-month-long plans instead of 24-month-long plans to tie customers to the "uncarrier" for longer. As customers become increasingly dissatisfied with the major carriers, the Mobile Virtual Network Operator is seeing an increase in market share. MVNOs offer mobile phone and data service, but don't own physical networks. Instead, they lease network capacity from network carriers. Now, there's a new offering among MVNO operators, and the deal it's offering is such a good one that it actually has a waiting list. Image source: Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images The competitive new cell phone plan is being offered by a big-name company that most people are already aware of: Klarna. Klarna is best known for its Buy Now, Pay Later platform, but it has announced that it is launching a cell phone plan that will operate on AT&T's network and that will be built on the Gigs' mobile services platform. Related: T-Mobile's new partnership will ease major customer concern The focus of the plan is its simplicity, with the company offering just one plan option instead of many. Currently, the plan is available only in the United States, but Klarna expects to expand to Germany, the UK, and other countries soon. The plan will offer: Unlimited 5G data that always stays at 5G speeds. Unlimited talk and text Nationwide coverageNo fees for activation or cancellation. Setup can reportedly be completed in minutes directly within the Klarna app with no need to visit a store, and customers can keep their current numbers if they prefer to do so. Ongoing plan administration will also happen right in the Klarna app, and the company promises that the onboarding process will be incredibly simple, with no more than a few taps needed. Users will also have the opportunity to manage their account within the Klarna app after signing up. More Retail: Costco quietly plans to offer a convenient service for customersT-Mobile pulls the plug on generous offer, angering customersKellogg sounds alarm on unexpected shift in customer behavior The total cost of the plan will be just $40 per month, which is a relative bargain as the average monthly cost of cell phone service in the U.S. is around $141 per month. "Consumers already know and love Klarna's super smooth services and now, with one tap in the Klarna app, they'll be up and running with their new phone plan – no hassle, no hidden fees, just great value," the Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO and co-founder of Klarna said in a statement. Klarna already has 25 million active users in the United States, and the company is hoping that its new foray into the mobile phone industry will meet a growing customer demand for a simple solution, as the company indicated their consumer research found many Americans believe mobile phone plan management is too complicated. Related: T-Mobile shares game-changing tech, free for anyone to try Co-founder and CEO of Gigs, Hermann Frank, has described Klarna's entry into the mobile market as a step towards a new connectivity between teelecoms and financial services, while also indicating that Klarna's new plan is a major upgrade for consumers compared to current phone offerings. Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to get in on this new plan when the service launches in the coming weeks. There's a waitlist already for U.S. users, so those who are interested will need to sign up within the Klarna app to get their chance at accessing the plan. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Time Business News
2 days ago
- Time Business News
The Best Laptops of 2025 Ranked: Which One Should You Buy
Choosing the right laptop in 2025 means balancing power, portability, battery life, and total cost of ownership. Whether you're a hybrid office worker, creative professional, or work-from-anywhere entrepreneur, our ranked list offers clarity, real-world context, and actionable insight. We've tested and fact‑checked the top contenders, so here's what you should seriously consider: Why it leads: The MacBook Air M4 remains the gold standard for most business users—boasting industry‑leading battery life (up to 18 hours reported), fanless cooling, and compatibility with top office suites like Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Zoom . Real-world example: A financial analyst reports 'colleagues often forget my Air is even on standby—it's that efficient.' Pros & Cons: Pros: Lightweight (~2.7 lb); stellar battery; strong resale value ($999+ MSRP). Lightweight (~2.7 lb); stellar battery; strong resale value ($999+ MSRP). Cons: Max 24GB RAM; limited port options (2× USB‑C only). Ideal for: Managers, consultants, and creatives who value silent performance and longevity. Why it stands out: Blurring the line with MacBook, this ARM‑powered device offers stellar battery life (15–22 hours) and fanless efficiency . Windows on ARM is maturing fast. Real-world example: A software developer appreciates the 'built-in Copilot key' for boosting productivity and AI prompts. Pros & Cons: Ideal for: Hybrid professionals needing Microsoft ecosystem with exceptional battery life. Why it shines: A premium Windows option with AMOLED display, minimal aesthetic, and 'all‑day productivity' reliability . Real-world example: A business consultant uses it for multi-tab Excel sessions and client presentations without lag. Pros & Cons: Pros: Vibrant screen; stylish; reliable performance; good battery. Vibrant screen; stylish; reliable performance; good battery. Cons: Limited upgradeability; fairly premium price. Ideal for: Professionals seeking Apple‑like polish with Windows flexibility. Why it's a value pick: Known for portability (under 1 kg), military-grade build, and long battery life, it packs Snapdragon X with 32GB RAM & 1TB SSD Pros & Cons: Pros: Ultra-light; robust ports (USB4, HDMI 2.1); vibrant OLED. Ultra-light; robust ports (USB4, HDMI 2.1); vibrant OLED. Cons: Base price $1,099; modest performance for demanding tasks. Ideal for: Travelers and executives who prioritize weight and durability. Why it's unique: Delivers true sustainability via modular, repairable design—upgradable RAM, SSD, ports, even DIY builds from $899 Real-world example: A remote educator swapped in his own Wi‑Fi 7 card and bumped memory—no service center needed. Pros & Cons: Pros: Repairable; future‑proof; excellent community support. Repairable; future‑proof; excellent community support. Cons: Base i3 config underwhelms for power users; DIY not for everyone. Ideal for: IT‑savvy users and green‑tech advocates. Why it's powerful: A Windows powerhouse with Intel Ultra CPUs, RTX 40-series GPU, up to 64GB RAM and OLED/4K screens . Pros & Cons: Pros: Large vibrant screen; high-end specs; premium build. Large vibrant screen; high-end specs; premium build. Cons: Soldered memory; expensive ($1,699+). Ideal for: Creative professionals—video editors, architects, big-data analysts. Why gamers and creators love it: Slim yet potent gaming rig with RTX 5090 GPU, OLED 240 Hz, strong performance in creative apps Pros & Cons: Pros: Top-tier performance; desktop-grade GPU; sleek RGB. Top-tier performance; desktop-grade GPU; sleek RGB. Cons: Battery life suffers; pricey (~$4,500). Ideal for: Power users needing desktop-level graphics in a portable form. Why consider it: Named 'best budget laptop' of 2025, offering compelling performance for under $800 Pros & Cons: Pros: Affordable; lightweight; dependable performance. Affordable; lightweight; dependable performance. Cons: Basic build; battery underwhelms. Ideal for: Entry-level professionals, interns, or everyday tasks. Our rankings are based on: Performance benchmarks from tested sources like Laptop Mag, Windows Central, The Verge. Real-world user feedback, including Reddit's r/BuyItForLife: 'A MacBook Air is honestly the best overall laptop for like 80% of people…' Battery life tests—Apple hits 18 hr, Surface 22 hr, others deliver 10–17 hrs based on usage. Portability & build—risks versus functionality; e.g., Dell XPS 16 sacrifices weight but maximizes power. Total cost of ownership, factoring in longevity, repairability, and resale potential. Use Case Top Pick Why Everyday Office & Travel MacBook Air M4 Lightweight, long battery, MacOS stability Windows-first Business Users Surface Laptop 7 Exceptional battery, touchscreen, Copilot AI keys Creative & Multimedia Dell XPS 16 Large OLED, powerful GPU Gamers/High-end Tasks Razer Blade 16 RTX 5090, professional-grade specs Budget-conscious Professionals Acer Swift Go 14 Under $800; fulfills core tasks Repairability & Sustainability Framework 13 Modular upgrade paths, right-to-repair champion For most US-based professionals, the MacBook Air M4 hits the perfect balance—performance, battery, and price. If your workflow centers on Windows, the Surface Laptop 7 offers equivalent longevity with new Copilot AI features. Need heavier specs? Choose the Dell XPS 16 or Razer Blade 16. For budget-minded simplicity, stick with the Acer Swift Go 14. And if repairability matters, nothing beats the Framework 13. If you're outfitting a team for remote projects or hosting a temporary event setup, consider a laptop rental to reduce upfront costs while maintaining access to top-tier devices. It's a practical approach that's gaining traction across industries from tech conferences to short-term training programs. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
CNET
2 days ago
- CNET
Klarna Now Has a Mobile Phone Service. It's Yet Another New Wireless Option for You
Klarna, the Swedish buy-now-pay-later financial services company, is introducing a mobile phone plan the company says it will promote to its 25 million US customers. Klarna is partnering with Gigs, a San Francisco company that provides mobile virtual network operator services, allowing companies to create their own wireless brands. MVNOs seem suddenly popular: In the last week, the Trump Organization launched Trump Mobile, with its own gold-tinted phone on the way. And the popular SmartLess podcast, featuring actors Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes, also set up shop as a wireless provider. Klarna's plan includes uncapped 5G plus service and international roaming for under $50 a month. Klarna will offer its wireless service using AT&T's infrastructure. The company has opened a waitlist for the service, which it says will launch in a few weeks, with similar offerings in the UK and Germany on the way as well. Klarna says it will directly promote its wireless plan through its mobile app. Customers will be able to keep their mobile number and sign up for the service and manage their account within the Klarna app. Klarna promises there won't be fees for service activation or cancellation. It also recently launched a debit card and partnered with DoorDash to allow installment payments on food orders. What's next for MVNOs? Don't be surprised if other new mobile businesses pop up this year. The overall industry for virtual network operators is expected to grow from about $87 billion to more than $148 billion in the next decade. "It's relatively easy to launch an MVNO -- compared to other ventures a brand or celebrity might contemplate," says Iliya Rybchin, a mobile industry veteran who now works as a consultant for BDO USA, an accounting firm. "The economics have gotten much better in the last few years and there are many popular brands, celebrities, and influencers who may have the brand power to do it." Those brands and celebrities who have large follower counts, he says, can use their popularity to help reduce one of the biggest costs for wireless companies: customer acquisition. The possibility for new wireless ventures, based on conversations he's heard, could include sports teams, retailers, video games and auto companies, Some, he says, could launch non-phone services or products based on specific needs such as medical wearables or cloud storage. Those contemplating launching an MVNO, he says, should ask themselves, "Is my brand strong enough and my fan base loyal enough to bring in a few hundred thousand subscribers?" That seems to be the case, at least for the new service tied to the president: "In the case of Trump Mobile, thousands of people walking around holding a gold phone can be as powerful a brand asset as a red MAGA hat. Of course, even the launch alone generates millions of dollars of media value," Rybchin said.
