AI: The next tech wave and trends to watch out for

Hi there,

Another month, another wave of AI breakthroughs, debates, and plenty of hype. But which trends actually matter?

In this edition, we break down what’s real, what’s noise, and what’s worth paying attention to. As our AI Research Director, Ramprakash Ramamoorthy, put it:

"It’s not AI replacing humans but humans who leverage AI that will lead the workforce."

That said, we know that AI adoption still comes with concerns, especially around data privacy. In fact, a recent survey of over 1,000 U.S. employees found that 74% believe clear rules are needed on how AI handles employee data.

We hear you! Privacy isn’t just a priority for us—it’s a commitment. Our VP of Marketing and CX, Praval Singh, summed it up best:

"Our focus remains on solving business problems. With AI, we’re excited to do that while keeping your data secure"

As we continue to explore the vast possibilities of AI, rest assured that your trust and security remain crucial with everything we do. But we’re not stopping at just AI conversations—this month, we’ve got the latest updates designed to make your work easier. Keep reading to see what’s new!

February event recap

Zoho User Group in Makati, Philippines

In the spirit of communal learning, our customers and team of experts connected at the heart of Metro Manila to learn about key apps in Zoho One that every business needs, from marketing to integrated sales.

There were plenty of amazing moments with this one. We dove into:

- CRM hands-on customisation

- How to build low-code chatbots for lead engagement across social media channels

- Contract authoring and lifecycle management

- How AI-powered BI tools give you data insights on demand and other integrated services to cover important workplace needs.

Your business’s online presence counts

Creating engaging social media content just got easier with Social Toolkit. This free-to-use feature by Zoho Social helps you craft content that stops the scroll and keeps your audience hooked.

When it comes to managing reviews, we know it can be overwhelming. That’s where Zoho Publish steps in. With review automation, you can automatically respond to Google reviews across all business locations, ensuring your customers always feel heard.

Want to expand your reach even further? The enhanced live streaming in Zoho Webinar lets you broadcast your webinars on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more—connecting with your audience in real time and growing your influence effortlessly.

Talent isn’t about where you are—it’s about what you bring

We’ve never believed that great ideas only come from big cities. Some of the brightest minds we know are solving real business problems from small towns. They’re not just keeping up—they’re reimagining how enterprise software is built and implemented.

Smarter work, stronger security

AI is here to stay, but it doesn’t have to feel robotic. Your AI assistant, Zia, is now in Zoho Connect. From creating content to analysing employee sentiment, Zia helps you stay on top of workplace conversations and town halls, making work smarter and more personal.

Security is non-negotiable. That’s why Zoho Vault is now included in the Zoho Workplace bundle at no extra cost. Manage and share passwords securely with end-to-end encryption, all while seamlessly integrating with your favorite Workplace apps.

And here’s something to make form-filling less tedious: Zoho Forms now lets you convert PDFs into fillable forms! Just upload a PDF or an image of a form, and it’ll transform into a shareable, interactive form in no time.

Seamless integrations for a better workflow

Bigin now integrates with more of your favorite Zoho apps! Streamline document signing with Zoho Sign, enhance customer engagement with Zoho SalesIQ, and level up your marketing with Zoho Marketing Automation. It’s all about making your CRM experience smoother than ever.

Convenience redefined

Event management just got more interactive. With the new WhatsApp integration in Zoho Backstage, you can send real-time updates, personalised reminders, and live event notifications directly to attendees’ WhatsApp inboxes—keeping them informed and engaged every step of the way.

For field service teams, Zoho FSM now offers customisable PDF templates. Create professional, on-brand service documents like invoices, estimates, reports, and more effortlessly—ensuring a lasting impression on your clients.

And if you’re managing multiple brands, Zoho SalesIQ has you covered with Multi Whatsapp Business Account (WABA) support. Now you can handle different WABAs from a single interface, with custom templates, phone numbers, and settings for each brand.

That’s it for this month’s updates. We’re excited for you to try these new features and see how they elevate your work. As always, we’d love to hear your feedback—so hit reply and let us know what you think!

Until next time,

Nicholas Koh at Zoho