Ever feel like you're drowning in a sea of messages, notifications, and scattered documents? You're not alone. Research shows that the average desk worker spends a staggering 41% of their time on low-value, repetitive tasks like hunting for information. Slack is stepping in to change that narrative, unveiling a powerful suite of new artificial intelligence (AI) tools designed to help its paying subscribers reclaim their time and focus on what truly matters.
A Smarter, More Intuitive Slack
Slack's vision is clear: AI should work for you, seamlessly integrated into your daily routine. The company is embedding more than a dozen new AI capabilities directly into its platform, transforming it from a simple chat application into a true productivity powerhouse. These tools are designed to provide instant answers, summarize lengthy conversations, and automate common workplace chores.
So, what's new? For users on paid plans, the enhancements are significant:
- AI-Powered Search: The star of the show is a new enterprise search function. You can now ask questions in plain English and get answers pulled not just from your Slack history, but also from integrated apps like Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and Salesforce. No more endless scrolling to find that one specific link or document.
- Instant Recaps and Summaries: Jumped into a channel late? No problem. AI can now provide instant recaps of channels and threads, getting you up to speed in seconds. It can even summarize meetings held in Huddles.
- Breaking Language Barriers: With built-in AI translations, collaborating with international teams has never been easier.
These features are available now, but Slack isn't stopping there. Soon, you'll see AI-generated action items pop up when a message contains a deadline, AI-powered writing assistance in the Canvas collaboration tool, and even instant explanations for workspace-specific jargon.
The Salesforce Connection
These advancements are part of a larger strategy by Slack's parent company, Salesforce, which has been heavily investing in its AI capabilities. By acquiring companies like Convergence.ai and Informatica, Salesforce is building a robust foundation for AI agents that can operate safely and effectively at an enterprise scale. This means the AI in Slack is not just a standalone feature but part of a deeply integrated ecosystem designed for the modern workplace.
Who Gets What?
The new AI functionality is included in all paid plans, but the level of access varies. The Business+ plan ($15/user/month) includes tools like AI recaps and workflow generation, while the new Enterprise+ plan unlocks the full enterprise search, advanced security, and enhanced task management.
By embedding these smart tools directly into the user experience, Slack aims to turn fragmented information into actionable insights, freeing up your day for more creative and high-impact work.
Key Takeaways
- New AI Tools for Paid Users: Slack is rolling out a suite of AI features for all its paid plans.
- Productivity Boost: The tools focus on summarizing content, improving search, and automating tasks to reduce low-value work.
- Enterprise Search is Key: A new search function allows users to ask natural language questions to find information across Slack and connected apps.
- Salesforce's Influence: These updates are part of Salesforce's broader push into enterprise AI.
- More to Come: Upcoming features include AI-powered writing assistance, action items, and message explanations.