Salesforce announces an AI-heavy makeover for Slack, with 30 new features
On March 31, 2026, Salesforce, the cloud software giant, unveiled a significant update to its popular communication platform, Slack. During a small gathering in San Francisco, CEO Marc Benioff and his team introduced a host of new features designed to enhance Slack’s functionality through artificial intelligence (AI). This update includes a total of 30 new features, with a particular focus on improving the capabilities of Slackbot, the platform’s AI assistant.
Overview of the New Features
The latest enhancements to Slack follow a previous update in January 2026, which granted Slackbot new agentic capabilities. These capabilities included the ability to draft emails, schedule meetings, and sift through user inboxes for specific information. The most notable feature of the recent update is the introduction of reusable AI-skills, which allow users to define specific tasks for Slackbot that can be applied across various scenarios.
Reusable AI-Skills
Reusable AI-skills are designed to streamline workflows by enabling users to create custom commands that can trigger specific actions. For example, a user can simply type a command such as “create a budget” for an upcoming event. In response, Slackbot will gather relevant information from various Slack channels and connected apps to create an actionable plan. Furthermore, Slackbot can automatically schedule a meeting to discuss this plan, inviting the appropriate employees based on their roles.
Integration with External Services
Another significant enhancement is Slackbot’s functionality as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) client. This allows it to connect with external services and tools, including Agentforce, Salesforce’s AI agent development platform launched in 2024. Through this integration, Slackbot can route work or prompt questions to Agentforce or any other agent or app within an organization. This feature aims to find the most efficient path for information without requiring human intervention.
Meeting Transcription and Summarization
Rob Seaman, EVP and GM of Slack, highlighted that Slackbot can now transcribe meetings and provide summaries. If a participant misses critical details during a meeting, they can request a recap from Slackbot, which will include any action items assigned to them. This feature is particularly useful for ensuring that all team members remain informed and accountable for their tasks.
Monitoring Desktop Activities
In addition to its capabilities within Slack, the updated Slackbot can monitor user activities on their desktops. It tracks various data points, including deals, conversations, calendar events, and user habits. Based on this context, Slackbot can make actionable suggestions or draft follow-ups for critical tasks, further enhancing productivity.
Privacy Protections
Salesforce has emphasized that privacy protections are built into the design of these new features. Users have the ability to adjust permissions as needed, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure while still benefiting from the AI enhancements.
Salesforce’s Vision for Slack
Salesforce’s strategy appears to be focused on transforming Slack from a traditional enterprise communication tool into a more versatile platform capable of handling a wider array of business tasks. By integrating AI throughout the platform, Salesforce aims to make Slack an indispensable part of core business processes for enterprise users.
Growth and Future Prospects
During the keynote presentation, Benioff reflected on the journey since Salesforce acquired Slack five years ago, noting that it has resulted in a remarkable two-and-a-half times revenue growth. He stated, “We have about a million businesses running on Slack. It’s been a huge growth story.” This growth underscores the increasing importance of communication and collaboration tools in the modern workplace, particularly as businesses continue to adapt to remote and hybrid work environments.
Conclusion
As Salesforce rolls out these 30 new features, it is clear that the company is committed to enhancing Slack’s capabilities through AI. The introduction of reusable AI-skills, meeting transcription, and desktop monitoring are just a few examples of how Salesforce is positioning Slack to meet the evolving needs of businesses. With a focus on efficiency and productivity, the updated Slack aims to become an essential tool for organizations looking to streamline their operations and improve collaboration.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on announcements made by Salesforce and may be subject to change as new features are developed and released.
