But why does Slack need AI? Ever since ChatGPT launched in 2022, a lot of companies have introduced AI features as a way to appear “cutting edge” even if the integration doesn’t make much sense to the core product. Slack adding AI agents to its messaging service doesn’t seem to be an obvious exception.

Dresser’s justification for AI agents is that Slack is not simply a work messaging platform, but rather a digital workplace or work OS that “brings all your people and processes together.”