Microsoft Teams is testing support for smaller gatherings in Together mode, which uses artificial intelligence to place meeting participants into virtual environments.
First spotted by Microsoft MVP Amanda Sterner, the change is ideal for removing background distractions from a team meeting or now a one-on-one conference call. The feature, as Sterner noted, appears limited to folks using Teams developer preview and previously had a five-participant minimum.
Eligible users can enable the preview by navigating to your profile > About > Developer preview > Switch to developer preview, but the ability to turn previews on or off is controlled by your organization. There's no word on when or if it will roll out to everyone and Microsoft did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.
During the height of last year's lockdowns, Microsoft introduced new AI technology that digitally places participants into a shared space—a boardroom, coffee shop, classroom, or even a sports stadium—in an attempt to make everyone feel like they're in the same place at the same time.
At launch, the function required at least four participants from one organization, and could accommodate up to 49 users, whose face and shoulders appear in the virtual space. Simply tap the three-dot menu and choose "Together mode," then let the AI do the rest.
Pro basketball viewers may recognize the feature, piloted last year by the NBA, which outfitted game courts with 17-foot-tall LED screens on three sides of the arena, serving as virtual stands for 300-plus cheering fans joining from the comfort of their homes. While folks watched live from Teams, players benefited from the same energy and support as an in-person event.