Introduction:
Slack, the popular workplace messaging platform, has introduced a new “Recap” feature that aims to save users from the overwhelming wall of messages. This generative AI tool compiles a daily summary of important conversations, allowing users to stay on top of developments without being pulled out of their workflow. In addition to Recap, Slack has also expanded access to other generative AI features, previously only available to Slack Enterprise users, making them available as add-ons to all paid Slack plans.
Staying on Top of Important Conversations:
The Recap feature acts as a morning newsletter for users’ messages, providing a daily summary of important conversations. Users can choose specific channels they want to keep tabs on, and Recap will compile the summaries that can be accessed in the sidebar. These recaps include specific people mentioned and links to the location of the messages in the channel, allowing users to quickly catch up on what’s happening without getting overwhelmed by the entire conversation thread.
According to Slack VP of Product Jackie Rocca, Recap is designed to help users stay informed about developments that don’t necessarily require their immediate attention. By having a daily digital newspaper-like summary, users can quickly get an overview of what’s happening in conversations without being taken away from their work flow. It provides a convenient way to stay updated without being overwhelmed by the constant influx of messages.
Expanded Access to Generative AI Features:
In addition to Recap, Slack has also announced expanded access to other generative AI features that were previously only available to Slack Enterprise users. These features include the summary tool and the internal search tool.
The summary tool uses AI to summarize conversations that users may have missed. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who are part of large teams or busy channels and may not have the time to read through every message. By providing a concise summary, users can quickly catch up on important points without spending excessive time scrolling through lengthy threads.
The internal search tool, on the other hand, understands natural language queries to find relevant messages. This is a significant improvement over traditional keyword-based searches, as users can simply type in a question or request and the AI will retrieve the most relevant messages. This saves users time and effort by eliminating the need to manually sift through numerous messages to find the information they are looking for.
AI Model and Data Privacy:
Although Slack has not disclosed the specific AI model it uses for its generative AI features, Rocca assures users that the models are completely hosted on their virtual cloud. This means that all data stays within Slack’s servers, ensuring user privacy and security. Furthermore, Slack’s AI models do not use any customer data to train, further protecting user privacy.
Availability and Pricing:
To access the Recap feature and the other generative AI features, users need to upgrade to a paid Slack plan. For an additional $10 a month, Pro, Business+, and Enterprise accounts can avail themselves of these three Slack AI features. Unfortunately, free Slack users do not have access to these AI features and will need to upgrade their plans if they want to take advantage of the AI capabilities.
Conclusion:
Slack’s new generative AI tool, Recap, is designed to save users from the overwhelming task of sorting through countless messages. By providing a daily summary of important conversations, users can stay informed without being taken away from their work flow. In addition to Recap, Slack has also expanded access to other generative AI features that summarize conversations and provide advanced search capabilities. With these AI tools, users can efficiently catch up on important information and find relevant messages with ease. While data privacy is a priority for Slack, users will need to upgrade to a paid plan to access these AI features.