Slack is introducing AI agents to its platform, aiming to redefine how workplace communication happens. Unlike traditional AI chatbots that require user input to respond, these new AI agents can take autonomous actions based on gathered data, streamlining tasks such as drafting emails and managing repetitive activities. As part of Salesforce’s suite, Slack will support its parent company’s AI agents, Agentforce, and allow integration with other AI solutions from partners like Asana, Cohere, Adobe Express, Workday, and Writer. This feature is only available to Slack’s paying customers, who can also integrate their own custom AI agents.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Slack’s new AI features mark a shift towards more automation in workplace communications. These AI agents differ from conventional chatbots by acting independently, reducing the need for constant human input. The agents are designed to handle mundane tasks, helping workers find information and complete routine activities more efficiently.
Rob Seaman, Slack’s Chief Product Officer, explains that desk workers spend a third of their day on tasks they consider low value, and many struggle to locate the information they need. The company sees AI agents as a way to address this challenge by providing intelligent assistance that keeps track of multiple apps and services used daily. Slack has built a new API for these agents, ensuring that customer data remains private and is not exported, stored, or used for large language model (LLM) training.
The rollout of these AI agents comes just before Salesforce’s annual Dreamforce conference. In addition to AI agents, Slack is also launching an AI Workflow Builder to automate tasks through prompts and an AI search feature to retrieve information from files uploaded on Slack. The platform will now include audio and written notes and transcription services through its audio meeting tool, Huddles, further enhancing its communication capabilities.
TF Summary: What’s Next?
Slack’s push into AI signals where a workplace communications involving more automation and intelligent assistance. The introduction of AI agents, improved workflow automations, and enhanced search features aims to make Slack a central hub for both human and AI-driven interactions. As these features come on-line, users can expect a more seamless integration of various AI tools into their daily workflows, potentially transforming how teams collaborate and communicate for the better. If AI agents are received positively, future developments may see Slack rely more on these capabilities, making AI an integral, everyday office mate.
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