Google Meet
Jul 2021 - Nov 2022
Launched Live Transcriptions and Translated Captions in Meet to make meetings more inclusive and collaborative by removing language barriers and generating high-quality meeting artifacts
Background
I was part of the Meet intelligence workstream at Google Workspace where we focused on elevating hybrid meeting experience using real-time speech transcription & translation platform augmented with AI & machine learning.
I joined the team in early 2021 and over the course of two years we launched several new features to make Meet more inclusive and productive. Our goal was to bridge the gap between communication and collaboration and grow subscription revenue through customer acquisition.
The two main projects I will be highlighting are:
I was part of the Meet intelligence workstream at Google Workspace where we focused on elevating hybrid meeting experience using real-time speech transcription & translation platform augmented with AI & machine learning.
I joined the team in early 2021 and over the course of two years we launched several new features to make Meet more inclusive and productive. Our goal was to bridge the gap between communication and collaboration and grow subscription revenue through customer acquisition.
The two main projects I will be highlighting are:
I was part of the Meet intelligence workstream at Google Workspace where we focused on elevating hybrid meeting experience using real-time speech transcription & translation platform augmented with AI & machine learning.
I joined the team in early 2021 and over the course of two years we launched several new features to make Meet more inclusive and productive. Our goal was to bridge the gap between communication and collaboration and grow subscription revenue through customer acquisition.
The two main projects I will be highlighting are:
I was part of the Meet intelligence workstream at Google Workspace where we focused on elevating hybrid meeting experience using real-time speech transcription & translation platform augmented with AI & machine learning.
I joined the team in early 2021 and over the course of two years we launched several new features to make Meet more inclusive and productive. Our goal was to bridge the gap between communication and collaboration and grow subscription revenue through customer acquisition.
The two main projects I will be highlighting are:
Meeting transcripts
Ensure clarity on meeting outcomes and discussions through automatic meeting transcripts saved in editable Google doc
Translated captions
Reduce language barriers and unlocks collaboration capabilities through live translated captions for video calls
My role
I played a role of a UX Lead running design sprints, workshops, market research, creating conceptual framework, outlining product vision, defining metrics, roadmap, designing MVP flows, functional prototypes and usability testing.
I collaborated closely with PM, UX researcher, web+mobile engineers, marketing team and data analysts. We were able to publicly launch 2 high impact projects in a rapid timeline of under 14 months, from idea to implementation.
I played a role of a UX Lead running design sprints, workshops, market research, creating conceptual framework, outlining product vision, defining metrics, roadmap, designing MVP flows, functional prototypes and usability testing.
I collaborated closely with PM, UX researcher, web+mobile engineers, marketing team and data analysts. We were able to publicly launch 2 high impact projects in a rapid timeline of under 14 months, from idea to implementation.
I played a role of a UX Lead running design sprints, workshops, market research, creating conceptual framework, outlining product vision, defining metrics, roadmap, designing MVP flows, functional prototypes and usability testing.
I collaborated closely with PM, UX researcher, web+mobile engineers, marketing team and data analysts. We were able to publicly launch 2 high impact projects in a rapid timeline of under 14 months, from idea to implementation.
I played a role of a UX Lead running design sprints, workshops, market research, creating conceptual framework, outlining product vision, defining metrics, roadmap, designing MVP flows, functional prototypes and usability testing.
I collaborated closely with PM, UX researcher, web+mobile engineers, marketing team and data analysts. We were able to publicly launch 2 high impact projects in a rapid timeline of under 14 months, from idea to implementation.
Creating a vision & roadmap
When I joined the team, I found we had some good UX research data and insights. What was lacking was a clear vision for our product. To address this, I took an initiative to organize and lead a Design Sprint with our cross-functional team, dedicating 3 days to activities centered around setting a vision. Following the sprint, I compiled all the ideas generated and crafted a preliminary product vision and roadmap that emphasized 5 crucial areas to focus. I then presented it to our leadership team, who were enthusiastic and supportive. The roadmap continues to serve as a foundation for project planning and prioritization.
When I joined the team, I found we had some good UX research data and insights. What was lacking was a clear vision for our product. To address this, I took an initiative to organize and lead a Design Sprint with our cross-functional team, dedicating 3 days to activities centered around setting a vision. Following the sprint, I compiled all the ideas generated and crafted a preliminary product vision and roadmap that emphasized 5 crucial areas to focus. I then presented it to our leadership team, who were enthusiastic and supportive. The roadmap continues to serve as a foundation for project planning and prioritization.
When I joined the team, I found we had some good UX research data and insights. What was lacking was a clear vision for our product. To address this, I took an initiative to organize and lead a Design Sprint with our cross-functional team, dedicating 3 days to activities centered around setting a vision. Following the sprint, I compiled all the ideas generated and crafted a preliminary product vision and roadmap that emphasized 5 crucial areas to focus. I then presented it to our leadership team, who were enthusiastic and supportive. The roadmap continues to serve as a foundation for project planning and prioritization.
When I joined the team, I found we had some good UX research data and insights. What was lacking was a clear vision for our product. To address this, I took an initiative to organize and lead a Design Sprint with our cross-functional team, dedicating 3 days to activities centered around setting a vision. Following the sprint, I compiled all the ideas generated and crafted a preliminary product vision and roadmap that emphasized 5 crucial areas to focus. I then presented it to our leadership team, who were enthusiastic and supportive. The roadmap continues to serve as a foundation for project planning and prioritization.
Slides from a design workshop I organized with the team
Slides from a design workshop I organized with the team
Slides from a design workshop I organized with the team
Slides from a design workshop I organized with the team
Transcription in Meet
Transcripts helps Google Meet users create a written source of truth of what happened in a meeting by transcribing video calls into a Google Doc.
When we surveyed consumers, 81% said that no shared notes are taken during critical meetings. Customers who require transcripts relied on human transcribers or 3rd party tools to create these docs. These are often expensive and cumbersome.
Our goal was to make meetings more inclusive, impactful and productive with a first party tool that help users take great notes.
Transcripts helps Google Meet users create a written source of truth of what happened in a meeting by transcribing video calls into a Google Doc.
When we surveyed consumers, 81% said that no shared notes are taken during critical meetings. Customers who require transcripts relied on human transcribers or 3rd party tools to create these docs. These are often expensive and cumbersome.
Our goal was to make meetings more inclusive, impactful and productive with a first party tool that help users take great notes.
Transcripts helps Google Meet users create a written source of truth of what happened in a meeting by transcribing video calls into a Google Doc.
When we surveyed consumers, 81% said that no shared notes are taken during critical meetings. Customers who require transcripts relied on human transcribers or 3rd party tools to create these docs. These are often expensive and cumbersome.
Our goal was to make meetings more inclusive, impactful and productive with a first party tool that help users take great notes.
Transcripts helps Google Meet users create a written source of truth of what happened in a meeting by transcribing video calls into a Google Doc.
When we surveyed consumers, 81% said that no shared notes are taken during critical meetings. Customers who require transcripts relied on human transcribers or 3rd party tools to create these docs. These are often expensive and cumbersome.
Our goal was to make meetings more inclusive, impactful and productive with a first party tool that help users take great notes.
Opportunity — Augment note taking in meetings
After Covid-19 pandemic companies were adapting to the world of remote and distributed work, and employees across time zones found it harder to attend every meeting. Recordings take a long time to review and watch; additionally they also require significant Drive storage.
I took advantage our UX research resources to conduct international user research studies and surveys to gain insights into user behavior. We found:
After Covid-19 pandemic companies were adapting to the world of remote and distributed work, and employees across time zones found it harder to attend every meeting. Recordings take a long time to review and watch; additionally they also require significant Drive storage.
I took advantage our UX research resources to conduct international user research studies and surveys to gain insights into user behavior. We found:
After Covid-19 pandemic companies were adapting to the world of remote and distributed work, and employees across time zones found it harder to attend every meeting. Recordings take a long time to review and watch; additionally they also require significant Drive storage.
I took advantage our UX research resources to conduct international user research studies and surveys to gain insights into user behavior. We found:
After Covid-19 pandemic companies were adapting to the world of remote and distributed work, and employees across time zones found it harder to attend every meeting. Recordings take a long time to review and watch; additionally they also require significant Drive storage.
I took advantage our UX research resources to conduct international user research studies and surveys to gain insights into user behavior. We found:
73%
Critical Meetings have no shared notes taken
65%
Users have meetings with more than two participants
42%
Users said notes taken are generally ineffective today
To solve this problem, I started thinking big — how can we deliver value with transcripts today, while positioning it to grow as an AI assistant in the future. I consulted with multiple teams within Google to help identify new use cases that we might have missed if we had focused solely on short-term gains. This way of thinking allowed us to design a product that not only solved current problems but also had the potential to evolve and adapt as technology and user needs continue to change.
To solve this problem, I started thinking big — how can we deliver value with transcripts today, while positioning it to grow as an AI assistant in the future. I consulted with multiple teams within Google to help identify new use cases that we might have missed if we had focused solely on short-term gains. This way of thinking allowed us to design a product that not only solved current problems but also had the potential to evolve and adapt as technology and user needs continue to change.
To solve this problem, I started thinking big — how can we deliver value with transcripts today, while positioning it to grow as an AI assistant in the future. I consulted with multiple teams within Google to help identify new use cases that we might have missed if we had focused solely on short-term gains. This way of thinking allowed us to design a product that not only solved current problems but also had the potential to evolve and adapt as technology and user needs continue to change.
To solve this problem, I started thinking big — how can we deliver value with transcripts today, while positioning it to grow as an AI assistant in the future. I consulted with multiple teams within Google to help identify new use cases that we might have missed if we had focused solely on short-term gains. This way of thinking allowed us to design a product that not only solved current problems but also had the potential to evolve and adapt as technology and user needs continue to change.
Capture meeting content
Transcribe speakers and record presentation
1x
Leverage Meet’s growth and create a platform
Transform into knowledge
Distill content into decisions, ideas & insights
10x
Scale with summarization and AI detection
Integrate knowledge across products
Consume & share knowledge during work.
100x
Integrate across Workspace Gmail, Drive and Docs
Design iterations
We used whiteboarding sessions and team brainstorms to generate several concepts. I subsequently turned those into high-fidelity UI mocks to test with real customers.
During user testing, we found that customers were thrilled with the addition of a transcript after each meeting. They found it intuitive and time-saving. But they also had concerns about privacy and quality which we addressed quickly in the next iteration.
We used whiteboarding sessions and team brainstorms to generate several concepts. I subsequently turned those into high-fidelity UI mocks to test with real customers.
During user testing, we found that customers were thrilled with the addition of a transcript after each meeting. They found it intuitive and time-saving. But they also had concerns about privacy and quality which we addressed quickly in the next iteration.
We used whiteboarding sessions and team brainstorms to generate several concepts. I subsequently turned those into high-fidelity UI mocks to test with real customers.
During user testing, we found that customers were thrilled with the addition of a transcript after each meeting. They found it intuitive and time-saving. But they also had concerns about privacy and quality which we addressed quickly in the next iteration.
We used whiteboarding sessions and team brainstorms to generate several concepts. I subsequently turned those into high-fidelity UI mocks to test with real customers.
During user testing, we found that customers were thrilled with the addition of a transcript after each meeting. They found it intuitive and time-saving. But they also had concerns about privacy and quality which we addressed quickly in the next iteration.
UX for starting transcripts, live panel, scrolling and language settings after several iterations
UX for starting transcripts, live panel, scrolling and language settings after several iterations
UX for starting transcripts, live panel, scrolling and language settings after several iterations
UX for starting transcripts, live panel, scrolling and language settings after several iterations
To address feedback from customers and stakeholder around privacy, I explored several options letting participants know that the call is being transcribed without being too distracting.
To address feedback from customers and stakeholder around privacy, I explored several options letting participants know that the call is being transcribed without being too distracting.
To address feedback from customers and stakeholder around privacy, I explored several options letting participants know that the call is being transcribed without being too distracting.
To address feedback from customers and stakeholder around privacy, I explored several options letting participants know that the call is being transcribed without being too distracting.
We made a strategic decision to use email notifications and Google Docs to create a shareable and editable transcript. Not only did it increased engagement of an existing Workspace product but also gave us a lot more functionality to work with.
We made a strategic decision to use email notifications and Google Docs to create a shareable and editable transcript. Not only did it increased engagement of an existing Workspace product but also gave us a lot more functionality to work with.
We made a strategic decision to use email notifications and Google Docs to create a shareable and editable transcript. Not only did it increased engagement of an existing Workspace product but also gave us a lot more functionality to work with.
We made a strategic decision to use email notifications and Google Docs to create a shareable and editable transcript. Not only did it increased engagement of an existing Workspace product but also gave us a lot more functionality to work with.
Due to increased customer demand we were on a tight deadline to launch this feature. I leveraged many of the already existing side panel components from Meet recordings and messages. This helped speed up front-end development time and also prevented engineering team from duplicating efforts.
Due to increased customer demand we were on a tight deadline to launch this feature. I leveraged many of the already existing side panel components from Meet recordings and messages. This helped speed up front-end development time and also prevented engineering team from duplicating efforts.
Due to increased customer demand we were on a tight deadline to launch this feature. I leveraged many of the already existing side panel components from Meet recordings and messages. This helped speed up front-end development time and also prevented engineering team from duplicating efforts.
Due to increased customer demand we were on a tight deadline to launch this feature. I leveraged many of the already existing side panel components from Meet recordings and messages. This helped speed up front-end development time and also prevented engineering team from duplicating efforts.
Outcome
After several rounds of UX, accessibility and quality testing, Transcripts in Meet launched successfully for enterprise users and universities in Q4'2022. We saw a significant number of user actively generating sharing & editing meeting notes.
Since most of our competitors like Zoom and Microsoft Teams already offered similar feature, we were able differentiate with the quality of transcription (word error rate + latency) and ease of use (overall use experience).
After several rounds of UX, accessibility and quality testing, Transcripts in Meet launched successfully for enterprise users and universities in Q4'2022. We saw a significant number of user actively generating sharing & editing meeting notes.
Since most of our competitors like Zoom and Microsoft Teams already offered similar feature, we were able differentiate with the quality of transcription (word error rate + latency) and ease of use (overall use experience).
After several rounds of UX, accessibility and quality testing, Transcripts in Meet launched successfully for enterprise users and universities in Q4'2022. We saw a significant number of user actively generating sharing & editing meeting notes.
Since most of our competitors like Zoom and Microsoft Teams already offered similar feature, we were able differentiate with the quality of transcription (word error rate + latency) and ease of use (overall use experience).
After several rounds of UX, accessibility and quality testing, Transcripts in Meet launched successfully for enterprise users and universities in Q4'2022. We saw a significant number of user actively generating sharing & editing meeting notes.
Since most of our competitors like Zoom and Microsoft Teams already offered similar feature, we were able differentiate with the quality of transcription (word error rate + latency) and ease of use (overall use experience).
82%
Customer satisfaction score
15%
Meetings with transcripts
31%
Transcript doc shared
In the news — Engadget, Live Mint, Techcrunch, India Today, Washington Post
In the news — Engadget, Live Mint, Techcrunch, India Today, Washington Post
In the news — Engadget, Live Mint, Techcrunch, India Today, Washington Post
In the news — Engadget, Live Mint, Techcrunch, India Today, Washington Post
Translations in Meet
Meet launched English closed captioning in April 2019. Users with disabilities, working in noisy environments and for whom English is a second language have found captions singularly critical in continuing to communicate with colleagues, students and friends.
With caption translations, we wanted to leverage Google’s uniquely powerful speech and translation technology to extend and grow this impact to a global audience. Better communication increases workforce productivity, comprehension and even professional development.
We launched with English translations to Spanish, Portuguese, French and German in Q2 2021, and our next phases include support auto translation for new languages.
Meet launched English closed captioning in April 2019. Users with disabilities, working in noisy environments and for whom English is a second language have found captions singularly critical in continuing to communicate with colleagues, students and friends.
With caption translations, we wanted to leverage Google’s uniquely powerful speech and translation technology to extend and grow this impact to a global audience. Better communication increases workforce productivity, comprehension and even professional development.
We launched with English translations to Spanish, Portuguese, French and German in Q2 2021, and our next phases include support auto translation for new languages.
Meet launched English closed captioning in April 2019. Users with disabilities, working in noisy environments and for whom English is a second language have found captions singularly critical in continuing to communicate with colleagues, students and friends.
With caption translations, we wanted to leverage Google’s uniquely powerful speech and translation technology to extend and grow this impact to a global audience. Better communication increases workforce productivity, comprehension and even professional development.
We launched with English translations to Spanish, Portuguese, French and German in Q2 2021, and our next phases include support auto translation for new languages.
Meet launched English closed captioning in April 2019. Users with disabilities, working in noisy environments and for whom English is a second language have found captions singularly critical in continuing to communicate with colleagues, students and friends.
With caption translations, we wanted to leverage Google’s uniquely powerful speech and translation technology to extend and grow this impact to a global audience. Better communication increases workforce productivity, comprehension and even professional development.
We launched with English translations to Spanish, Portuguese, French and German in Q2 2021, and our next phases include support auto translation for new languages.
Our goal — Support truly global meetings
To become the enterprise meeting solution for multi-national and distributed companies, it was critical that we support users who speak other languages. Most multinational companies do business in English with local teams that do meetings in their language. UX survey with ~165 enterprise customers revealed
To become the enterprise meeting solution for multi-national and distributed companies, it was critical that we support users who speak other languages. Most multinational companies do business in English with local teams that do meetings in their language. UX survey with ~165 enterprise customers revealed
To become the enterprise meeting solution for multi-national and distributed companies, it was critical that we support users who speak other languages. Most multinational companies do business in English with local teams that do meetings in their language. UX survey with ~165 enterprise customers revealed
To become the enterprise meeting solution for multi-national and distributed companies, it was critical that we support users who speak other languages. Most multinational companies do business in English with local teams that do meetings in their language. UX survey with ~165 enterprise customers revealed
45%
Meetings have one or more participant who aren’t fluent
23%
Meetings have people with different locale settings
58%
Respondents had offices in two or more countries
Defining design principles
Before jumping into design, I created some key guiding UX principles to keep the team focused on the right priorities. It also helped us improve the decision process of the team, reduced arguments and brought clarity on what matters.
Before jumping into design, I created some key guiding UX principles to keep the team focused on the right priorities. It also helped us improve the decision process of the team, reduced arguments and brought clarity on what matters.
Before jumping into design, I created some key guiding UX principles to keep the team focused on the right priorities. It also helped us improve the decision process of the team, reduced arguments and brought clarity on what matters.
Before jumping into design, I created some key guiding UX principles to keep the team focused on the right priorities. It also helped us improve the decision process of the team, reduced arguments and brought clarity on what matters.
Ensure translation clarity
Users should clearly know when captions are translated or not
Provide quick & easy switching
Users should be able to easily switch between the original and translation language
Don’t be intrusive
Translation settings and controls are easy to find, but not in the way of the meeting
Privacy first
Captions settings are personal to the individual and not to be shared with other participants
UX for starting translated captions and changing language settings
UX for starting translated captions and changing language settings
UX for starting translated captions and changing language settings
UX for starting translated captions and changing language settings
User flow on mobile with different options to select language
User flow on mobile with different options to select language
User flow on mobile with different options to select language
User flow on mobile with different options to select language
I experimented with several design options to make it easy for users to switch between languages. We settled with option 2 which offered a contextual menu. However, when tested with real users, we found that they had a tough time finding it. Ultimately we decided to take a step back and place the language settings in the global settings menu, making it discoverable and accessible to all users.
I experimented with several design options to make it easy for users to switch between languages. We settled with option 2 which offered a contextual menu. However, when tested with real users, we found that they had a tough time finding it. Ultimately we decided to take a step back and place the language settings in the global settings menu, making it discoverable and accessible to all users.
I experimented with several design options to make it easy for users to switch between languages. We settled with option 2 which offered a contextual menu. However, when tested with real users, we found that they had a tough time finding it. Ultimately we decided to take a step back and place the language settings in the global settings menu, making it discoverable and accessible to all users.
I experimented with several design options to make it easy for users to switch between languages. We settled with option 2 which offered a contextual menu. However, when tested with real users, we found that they had a tough time finding it. Ultimately we decided to take a step back and place the language settings in the global settings menu, making it discoverable and accessible to all users.
Outcome
This feature launched in Q2 2021 receiving highly positive feedback from users. It also highlighted the impact small improvements in language translation can have on people's ability to communicate and connect with others.
In summary, this project was a journey that reminded me of the value of cross-team collaboration and quick user feedback in launching a successful product. Our final solution was not only user-centered but also technically feasible and aligned with the overall product vision.
This feature launched in Q2 2021 receiving highly positive feedback from users. It also highlighted the impact small improvements in language translation can have on people's ability to communicate and connect with others.
In summary, this project was a journey that reminded me of the value of cross-team collaboration and quick user feedback in launching a successful product. Our final solution was not only user-centered but also technically feasible and aligned with the overall product vision.
This feature launched in Q2 2021 receiving highly positive feedback from users. It also highlighted the impact small improvements in language translation can have on people's ability to communicate and connect with others.
In summary, this project was a journey that reminded me of the value of cross-team collaboration and quick user feedback in launching a successful product. Our final solution was not only user-centered but also technically feasible and aligned with the overall product vision.
This feature launched in Q2 2021 receiving highly positive feedback from users. It also highlighted the impact small improvements in language translation can have on people's ability to communicate and connect with others.
In summary, this project was a journey that reminded me of the value of cross-team collaboration and quick user feedback in launching a successful product. Our final solution was not only user-centered but also technically feasible and aligned with the overall product vision.
In the news — AndroidPolice, Techtimes, 9to5Google, Zdnet, Engadget, BusinessInsider
In the news — AndroidPolice, Techtimes, 9to5Google, Zdnet, Engadget, BusinessInsider
In the news — AndroidPolice, Techtimes, 9to5Google, Zdnet, Engadget, BusinessInsider
In the news — AndroidPolice, Techtimes, 9to5Google, Zdnet, Engadget, BusinessInsider
