Could Holograms Curve Zoom Fatigue?

Companies are exploring new methods of communicating in a way that helps eliminate Zoom fatigue. This desire for an advanced approach to connecting workers has been echoed across organizations such as Google and WeWork, and it may be reality sooner than expected.

Holograms in the workplace may seem far-fetched, but Google recently revealed details about Project Starline, its effort to create a video-chat system that gives participants a three-dimensional experience.

Additionally, WeWork announced a partnership with hologram technology firm ARHT Media Inc. to incorporate holograms across 100 of the coworking company’s buildings.

“There’s Zoom fatigue, there’s a lot of friction to being on video all day—it is exhausting,” said Brianne Kimmel, founder and managing partner of WorkLife Ventures, a venture-capital firm that focuses on future of work technologies. 

Companies had been experimenting with the idea of holograms prior to the pandemic, but the past year or so has accelerated the need for this type of technology. Using holograms, companies are hoping to improve new hybrid arrangements.

Still, this advanced technology has limitations. According to Kanishka Chauhan, a principal research analyst at Gartner, most workplace holograms are best used for recorded events, training sessions or seminars.