Salesforce has announced a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) update for its workplace communication platform, Slack, introducing 30 new features. The announcement was made by CEO Marc Benioff and his team at an event in San Francisco on Tuesday, marking the latest step in the company's strategic pivot towards AI-centric software solutions.
The most substantial change is a major enhancement to Slack's AI agent, Slackbot, building upon agentic capabilities introduced in January that allowed it to draft emails and schedule meetings. The new features, set to roll out in the coming months, are designed to transform Slack from a messaging tool into a versatile platform for automating core business processes.
Reusable AI Skills and Expanded Capabilities
A key innovation is the introduction of reusable AI-skills. These allow users to define specific tasks for Slackbot that can be applied across various scenarios. While Slackbot will include a built-in library of such skills, users can also create custom versions tailored to their organisation's needs.
Once configured, these skills can automate complex workflows. For example, a user can command Slackbot to "create a budget" for an upcoming event. The agent will then gather relevant information from across a company's Slack channels and connected data sources to formulate a plan, and can automatically schedule a meeting with relevant employees based on their job titles.
Integration and Autonomous Operation
Slackbot now functions as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) client, enabling it to connect and coordinate with external services. This includes integration with Agentforce, Salesforce's AI agent development platform launched in 2024. Through this connection, Slackbot can "route work or prompt questions to Agentforce or any agent or app in your enterprise," finding the most efficient path for information without human intervention.
The AI agent's capabilities extend beyond Slack's interface. According to Rob Seaman, Slack's interim CEO, it can now transcribe and summarise meetings, allowing participants to request recaps and action items. Furthermore, it can monitor desktop activities—including deals, conversations, calendars, and habits—to provide context-aware suggestions and draft follow-ups for critical tasks. Seaman emphasised that privacy protections are built into this design, with adjustable user permissions.
Strategic Shift and Growth Trajectory
The update signifies a clear strategic effort by Salesforce to expand Slack's role within the enterprise. By infusing it with advanced AI, the company aims to make the platform an indispensable component of daily business operations, moving beyond its roots in team communication.
Reflecting on the five years since Salesforce acquired Slack, CEO Marc Benioff noted it had been an "incredible journey" delivering "two and a half times revenue growth." He added, "We have about a million businesses running on Slack. It's been a huge growth story."