Build 2024: 3 new Microsoft Teams announcements, including custom emojis and reactions

At Microsoft Build 2024 developers conference on Tuesday, the Redmond-based tech giant introduced a series of exciting updates for Microsoft Teams, aimed at showcasing its incorporation of AI in the ways users interact, collaborate, and enhance productivity.

These new updates deliver AI-powered enhancements, improved data protection, expanded custom app experiences, and advanced collaboration tools, underscoring Microsoft's commitment to create a more dynamic and secure communication platform.

Here are the three Microsoft Teams announcements we believe you should have on your radar.

1. AI-Powered Microsoft Teams Premium

Microsoft Teams Premium is set to receive substantial upgrades designed to enhance user experience through AI and data protection measures. Key features include Intelligent Recap, which generates AI-driven meeting notes, tasks, and name mentions for meetings with transcription enabled, but not recorded. This feature is scheduled for general availability in June 2024.

Credit: Microsoft

Meeting organizers will also gain enhanced control over recording and transcription permissions, allowing them to specify who can record and transcribe meetings. This new control option will be generally available next month. Additionally, IT administrators can now restrict content sharing in externally hosted meetings to bolster data security, a capability that is now generally available.

2. Custom App Experiences

Microsoft Teams will also see improvements for custom app and web experiences with the integration of Microsoft PowerPoint Live. This will allow presenters and participants to utilize PowerPoint features within Teams meetings for a more engaging presentation experience. Additionally, users can now use live emoji reactions during meetings, along with real-time transcription using Azure AI Speech. This one is still being tested but when rolled out, it will provide immediate text transcriptions of calls.

Speaking of calls, support for closed captions has been extended to all app-to-app calls, promoting accessibility. Furthermore, a picture-in-picture mode for iOS and Android enables users to multitask while on video calls — enhancing productivity and flexibility.

3. Collaboration Enhancements

Microsoft Teams and Loop have introduced several new features. Users can now upload and use custom emojis to express themselves creatively, with IT admins managing permissions to ensure a controlled user experience. This feature will enter preview next month.

Slash commands in the compose box will allow users to perform contextual actions or complete tasks more efficiently, a feature currently in preview. Developers can share code via permalinks in Teams chat, which will now expand to show rich previews from Microsoft Azure DevOps, a feature that is generally available. Additionally, Loop-supported Code Blocks will enable developers to insert or share code across Teams and Outlook, with real-time synchronization of changes. This feature is currently rolling out.