Slack is introducing new artificial intelligence features aimed at helping users navigate the growing flood of workplace communication. The company has launched several updates designed to streamline workflows, reduce time sent on repetitive tasks, and improve access to key information.
These upgrades come as more organizations adopt generative AI to boost productivity, though many still face challenges with daily implementation. Slack says its approach keeps AI integrated directly within its platform, eliminating the need to rely on third-party tools or switch between apps.
Enterprise search that understands natural language
One of the standout additions is Slack’s enterprise-grade AI-powered search, which allows users to ask questions in everyday language and receive relevant information from Slack channels, conversations, files, and integrated apps like Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Confluence, and GitHub.
Instead of manually scanning through archives or channels, users can quickly access summaries, decisions, and documentation across formats like PDFs, slides, and customer records.
In Slack’s announcement about its AI productivity tools, Paul Kagoo, general manager of Enterprises & B2B at reMarkable, is quoted as stating, “Slack’s enterprise search has now become a go-to place for me to learn about our business. By asking questions in a conversational form, Slack is able to create useful context in addition to providing credible responses to the questions I have.”
AI writing help and meeting summaries
Slack is also expanding the capabilities of Slack Canvas, its collaborative workspace, with upcoming AI tools. These features will help users summarize message threads, highlight next steps, adjust tone to match the audience, and generate FAQs based on previous conversations.
During Slack Huddles — its live audio or video calls — the AI will now automatically transcribe meetings, extract key points, and organize action items, allowing teams to stay focused without taking manual notes.
Hover for meaning: Contextual message insights
To address confusion caused by workplace shorthand, Slack is launching a feature that provides on-demand definitions for acronyms, project names, and internal terms.
“By simply hovering your cursor over any message, AI in Slack will provide an instant explanation on any message. It draws from your workspace’s unique vocabulary and conversation history, giving you explanations for project names, internal tools, or team-specific shorthand,” Slack wrote in its post.
This jargon-busting capability is especially helpful for new team members and cross-functional collaborators to get up to speed more quickly without disrupting their workflow.
Interface redesign and data privacy safeguards
Beyond AI, Slack is redesigning parts of its user interface. A new unified files view will consolidate canvases, lists, and shared documents into a single location — reducing the time users spend racking down files.
In addition, the company emphasized that customer data will not be used to train AI models. The AI tools will only access data that users are already authorized to view.
“AI in Slack is built inside our trusted infrastructure and inherits all the protections and controls of our core platform. That includes support for FedRAMP, encryption key management, international data residency, data loss prevention, and the Einstein Trust Layer,” the company wrote.
Curious how other platforms are using generative AI to reshape the workplace? Explore our coverage of top AI software trends and enterprise-ready solutions in 2025.