Slack's new ChatGPT bot will talk to your coworkers for you

Like Microsoft and Google, Slack owner Salesforce is incorporating an artificial intelligence chatbot into its workplace software to automatically write simple messages and summarize meetings.

ChatGPT is coming to Slack. On Tuesday, Salesforce-owned Slack announced a new artificial intelligence app that will help you compose responses to colleagues "in seconds."

Those with access to the app can click on the three-dot icon in the thread and tap "Draft Answer" instead of typing the answer themselves. It's still unclear how detailed these responses will be, and whether they might be a little weird at times. Of course, you can edit any reply to better fit the conversation, but I honestly feel like I can type a reply in the time it takes to let the ChatGPT team write it for me.

In addition, the ChatGPT Slack bot will help you find answers "on any project or topic" using its artificial intelligence-based research tools, and summarize channels or topics to keep you up to date on what's going on at work. Companies and organizations can join the ChatGPT beta waiting list here.

This news comes as part of Salesforce's broader announcement about Einstein GPT, a proprietary version of OpenAI's ChatGPT model for CRM (customer relationship management) software systems. According to Salesforce, Einstein GPT incorporates artificial intelligence technologies from both Salesforce and OpenAI, allowing it to generate emails that salespeople can send to customers, compose responses to customer questions, and create "targeted content" for marketers.

Salesforce's entry into the AI-powered tools market isn't all that surprising. Several other companies, including Microsoft, Google and Meta, are also looking at incorporating AI into their products - and the competition is clearly intensifying. Just a day before this announcement, Microsoft unveiled CoPilot AI for Microsoft 365, which can also write customized emails or messages for customers, as well as create marketing content. Google has also integrated AI tools into its productivity apps, including Meet and Spaces.