Instant messaging: AI tools for Slack
The messaging service Slack is getting AI add-ons for a fee. They transcribe, summarize and automate simple workflows.
(Image: Ascannio/Shutterstock.com)
Over the coming months, the instant messaging service for companies Slack will gradually receive new AI functions that process customer data from Salesforce CRM, transcribe and summarize conversations and automate workflows. The update for Slack was announced by its manufacturer Salesforce at its in-house conference Dreamforce.
(Image:Â Screenshot)
The paid add-on service Slack AI processes search queries and creates summaries from channels. The generative AI creates transcripts, summaries, notes and to-do lists from huddles, the service's audio and video conversations. According to the manufacturer, the AI guides users and explains what it can do.
Salesforce CRM users will also be able to access the newly introduced Agentforce service in Slack in future. The AI agents process customer inquiries or create marketing campaigns as part of the CRM.
Automating workflows
With the AI Workflow Builder, workflows can be automated in simple steps, such as sending a welcome message to team members who join a channel. The "Summarize channel" command can deliver daily reports in the form of such a workflow. Salesforce also wants to provide collections of predefined workflows in the form of so-called Slack templates.
(Image:Â Salesforce)
Software from third-party providers
Slack also integrates third-party software, including Adobe, Anthropic, Cohere and Perplexity. The third-party AI agents can be installed via the Slack Marketplace. For example, a marketing team can use Adobe Express or Anthropic Claude software in its Slack channel via a shared window without leaving the messenger.
According to the manufacturer, Slack AI is now available as an add-on and costs ten US dollars per user per month. The first AI agents are also available in the Slack Marketplace. According to Salesforce, the AI Workflow Builder is available immediately. Slack templates are to follow from October 2024. Salesforce does not plan to integrate Einstein Copilot until next year.
Transparency note: The author was invited to Dreamforce in San Francisco by Salesforce. Salesforce covered the travel costs. There were no specifications regarding the type and scope of our reporting.
(akr)
