Slack Introduces New AI Features For Seamless Communication & Workflow

Continuing its efforts to redefine workplace productivity, Salesforce has just announced a bunch of AI features for its messaging platform, Slack. The announcements come off the back of a major redesign of the platform that brought several workspaces into a single view, last month.

Salesforce stated this new update automates ways of working to speed up access to information. Since the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT followed by a genAI revolution, Salesforce has gone all in on AI.  These new additions bring AI, automation capabilities, and knowledge sharing into the mix, to upgrade the way teams collaborate and streamline work.

Slack AI, the standout feature of the latest update, is integrated into the platform, leveraging information from Slack's channels. This native AI functionality is designed to simplify work processes and save users’ time. Alongside, the first batch of features is rolling out including "Channel recaps," for instant highlights of any channel's activity.  Apart from a quick overview of essential updates the feature helps with tasks such as drafting status reports or summarising feedback.

Furthermore, Slack has announced an improved ‘Workflow Builder’ designed for anyone, regardless of coding expertise, to automate processes. Developers are also in for a treat as this next-generation platform simplifies the app development process, taking care of hosting and infrastructure management. The platform also provides a centralised hub for customers to explore and deploy automation templates quickly. 

The company is also bringing Lists to loop in work management capabilities into the flow of communication on Slack, allowing users to create lists of active projects, assign to relevant parties, and track their progress all the way through completion.

However, despite the announcements, not all of these features are ready to ship – yet. According to Salesforce, Slack Lists will launch the upcoming winter, with wide availability expected in the following year. As for Slack AI, it is set to undergo a pilot phase this winter, followed by a broader rollout after a successful pilot. Meanwhile, the Workflow Builder is already accessible to users on paid plans – with its hub scheduled to debut later this month.