Slack has launched its most ambitious update since being acquired by Salesforce in 2021, introducing more than 30 AI-powered features designed to boost productivity and position Slackbot as the centerpiece of enterprise collaboration.

This move underscores Salesforce’s intent to make Slack a formidable player in the AI-driven workplace, directly challenging Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace as competition for enterprise users intensifies.

Slackbot Gets a Brain Upgrade

At the core of the overhaul is Slackbot, now enhanced with generative AI. The bot can summarize meetings, suggest workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and surface smart recommendations—all within the chat interface.

Key new AI-driven features include:

• Automated meeting summaries—instantly catch up on what you missed
• Smart search—AI-powered, context-aware results beyond simple keyword matches
• Workflow suggestions—Slackbot proactively recommends automations based on user behavior
• Automated action recommendations—the bot suggests next steps, follow-ups, or relevant files

According to TechCrunch, the March 2026 release represents the largest feature drop since Salesforce’s $27.7 billion acquisition. Salesforce is betting that AI-driven orchestration will transform Slack from a messaging tool into a true digital assistant for enterprises.

Why Now? The AI Productivity Arms Race

The timing is strategic. Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace have both introduced AI copilots and smart assistants over the past year, raising expectations for collaboration platforms. Slack’s response: embed AI more deeply and broadly, integrating it into every layer of the user experience.

This update is also a clear effort to retain—and win back—enterprise customers who might be drawn to Microsoft’s and Google’s productivity suite integrations. With over 30 new AI features, Slack aims to be more than just chat: it wants to serve as the nerve center of enterprise automation.

Salesforce’s AI-First Playbook

This overhaul is part of Salesforce’s broader strategy to infuse AI throughout its product suite. The company has been vocal about its AI ambitions, and Slack is now a showcase for generative AI in real-world workflows.

For Salesforce, the stakes are high. The company needs Slack to justify its $27.7 billion price tag and deliver on the promise of AI-driven productivity. With this update, Salesforce is signaling to the market—and its customers—that it is fully committed to AI orchestration, beyond just CRM.

What’s Different This Time?

Unlike previous incremental updates, this overhaul is comprehensive. Slackbot is positioned not just as a helper, but as an orchestration layer capable of connecting workflows, surfacing insights, and automating routine tasks across the platform.

Slack’s leadership is betting that users want more than passive AI—they want proactive, context-aware automation that meaningfully reduces busywork. If execution matches ambition, this could set a new standard for enterprise collaboration tools.

What to Watch Next

The key question: will enterprises embrace Slack’s AI-centric vision, or will Microsoft and Google’s incumbency prove too strong? Adoption metrics over the next two quarters will be telling. Watch for how quickly customers integrate the new features into daily workflows—and whether Slackbot’s AI recommendations drive measurable productivity gains.

For now, Slack’s overhaul sends a clear message: the era of AI-powered digital assistants in the workplace has arrived. The only question is who will own the interface—and the workflow—as enterprise collaboration is reshaped by AI.