Dive Brief:
- Slack is expanding its AI and no-code capabilities through new functionalities and features in the latest update to its user interface, the company announced Wednesday.
- Users will have access to AI-fueled channel recaps, thread summaries and improved search answers. The company has woven in an AI-based conversational interface within channels that allows users to get caught up on a thread or locate the most recent information about a project with accompanying citations to check the validity of generated material.
- Through a new Workflow Builder hub, users can also customize workflows or choose from templates, such as a request for IT equipment or time off notices. The tool can connect multiple systems in a single workflow, linking services from Google, Atlassian and Asana. The improved Workflow Builder is now available to paying customers, while pilots for channel recaps, thread summaries and enhanced search answers will begin to roll out this winter.
Dive Insight:
Slack, a hybrid work staple, is doubling down on its redesign amid a push toward productivity. The collaboration platform wants to be known for more than its ability to house conversations and, in the age of generative AI enthusiasm, the company is turning to automation.
“Slack is much more than a messaging app, and we need to make it easier for everybody to access all of the features that Slack provides now, rather than just the messaging portion,” said Ali Rayl, SVP of product management at Slack.
Tactically, that’s coming into play with where new features are displayed, Rayl said. The improved workflow builder tool will be in a more easily accessible location in the coming interface compared to where the current iteration is housed. Slack’s major redesign, which was announced in August, is rolling out gradually to existing customers over the coming months.
“With our redesign, what we wanted to do is really put more structure in place for the people who would like it, to, for example, get down to something that looks like an inbox zero and make it really easy to find items for them to follow up on later,” Rayl said.
The strategy has also been supported by increased AI adoption. Slack has seen a 71% increase year over year in weekly deployed workflows, reaching nearly 18 million, according to Brian Millham, president and COO at parent company Salesforce, speaking during the company’s Q2 2024 earnings call last week.
“We’re trying to make it the productivity platform, and we’re trying to fulfill that promise by making the UI more suited to what Slack does today,” Rayl said.
Correction: This article was updated to reflect Slack users deployed nearly 18 million weekly workflows, according to an amended earnings call transcript.
