Microsoft Teams to Bring AI-Powered Voice Isolation to macOS Users
Published: Sep 17, 2024
Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft is adding voice isolation feature to the Teams desktop app for macOS next month.
- This feature is designed to enhance audio clarity by filtering out background noise during video calls and meetings.
- IT administrators have control over its availability within their organizations.
Microsoft is set to introduce voice isolation support to its Teams desktop app for macOS next month. This feature leverages artificial intelligence to filter out background noise, providing a clearer and more focused audio experience for video calls and meetings.
Microsoft Teams rolled out voice isolation support for Windows users in November 2023. This feature uses a voice profile stored on the local device to remove unwanted sounds during calls and meetings. Moreover, IT admins have the ability to control whether this feature is available to end users within their organization.
“With voice isolation in Microsoft Teams, you can enjoy clear and uninterrupted calls or meetings, no matter where you are. Voice isolation is an AI-based advanced noise suppression feature that eliminates unwanted background noise, including other human voices. The technology recognizes your voice profile and ensures only your voice is transmitted,” the company explained in a message on the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Admin controls for Microsoft Teams’ voice isolation
Microsoft notes that administrators will first need to enable the “enrollUserOverride policy” and the “Voice isolation feature” policy through the Teams admin center. Once enabled, Microsoft Teams users will need to enroll their voice profile by clicking the Recognition tab in Settings. Meanwhile, it will be up to the IT admins to disable this feature within their organization by using the “Set-CsTeamsMeetingPolicy” PowerShell cmdlet.
The voice isolation feature in Teams will be rolled out to targeted release customers in mid-October, with a general availability expected by late-October. This capability could be particularly useful for those who participate in video calls and meetings in noisy or crowded environments.
In related news, Microsoft has recently announced that its new Teams client is available as a progressive web app (PWA) for Windows and macOS devices. The company has also released a new update that allows users to show or hide the Discover feed in Microsoft Teams.