No time to tidy? Microsoft Teams can now use AI to clean up your background on video calls

We’ve all been there – you get a video call request from your boss, just as you realize your room is a situation.

But the days of frantically trying to swap out everything in your wardrobe may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to Microsoft’s latest feature.

The tech giant has launched a new tool for Teams called “Decorate Your Background.”

As the name suggests, the tool uses artificial intelligence (AI) to clean your background in video calls.

And we’re not talking about just a quick tidy up — the tool can also add decorations to your calls, whether it’s a festive Christmas tree or a soothing plant.

The days of frantically trying to change everything in your wardrobe during video calls may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to Microsoft’s latest feature

Microsoft announced the new tool at its Ignite conference this week.

“Make meetings more fun and personal by decorating your background,” Microsoft said.

“Meeting participants can now use creative background effects in Teams to bring out their best — even when the space they’re working in isn’t at its best.”

The tool uses artificial intelligence to create a wallpaper that will decorate or arrange your real-life room.

Users can choose from three options – Clean, Fancy, or Celebrate.

As you may have guessed, the cleaning option subtly tidies up your wallpaper, removing items from the floor and scattering items on the shelves.

The tool uses artificial intelligence to create a wallpaper that will decorate or arrange your real-life room

“Make meetings more fun and personal by decorating your background,” Microsoft said.

The luxurious option adds twinkling fairy lights and glasses of champagne to your backdrop.

Meanwhile, the Celebration option adds a festive Christmas tree and gifts behind you.

The feature will launch in early 2024 for Teams Premium users.

The news comes shortly after the study She revealed how your background in video calls can impact the first impression you make.

Researchers from Durham University say people who sit in front of houseplants or bookcases are considered the most trustworthy.

In contrast, people who use new backgrounds such as beaches or animals are considered the least efficient, according to the study.

Filters and apps that can make the theme look so amazing

Hugh Bonneville’s youthful look in the One Show was likely achieved using a filter or series of filters within the Zoom app.

The most common tool used to get rid of wrinkles and blemishes is the “Enhance my appearance” option found under Zoom’s video settings menu.

Checking the box provides a slider that can “smooth” your face, to a greater or lesser extent depending on how far you move the slider.

It’s possible to combine this ‘smoothing’ with other in-app effects including an experimental ‘Studio Effects’ feature that lets you digitally tweak your eyebrows, moustache, beard and lips.

Under the general Video Filters section, you can also change the lighting, enhance your look, make it noir and even put flowers in your hair.

Aside from these built-in or “native” filters, it is also possible to use a third-party filter – such as the Snap Camera filters from Snap Inc, the maker of Snapchat.

These include Naomi Campbell’s new ‘Beauty’ filters that give skin a smooth, flawless look.

Other filters can change your appearance more radically, as Texas attorney Rod Ponton accidentally discovered during a Zoom hearing.

Mr Ponton caused an internet sensation when shots emerged of him with his face obscured by a kitten filter found in Snap Camera.

Unfortunately, he didn’t know how it turned on, or how to turn it off.

To become a kitten, or to enable the beauty filter, you need to open Snap Camera.

• In Snap Camera, select the filter you want to use
• Once done, close any applications that use your computer’s camera
• Then reopen Zoom or any other webcam app you use.

More details about Zoom video enhancements and filters can be found on the website Zoom support siteincluding how to enable them to hold a meeting.