Google and Salesforce Lead the Charge in AI Agents for 2026

73% of businesses are expected to adopt AI agents by the end of 2026, with Google and Salesforce at the forefront of this revolution.

The recent launch of Salesforce's new Slackbot AI agent marks a significant milestone in the company's efforts to position Slack at the center of the emerging "agentic AI" movement. This movement, where software agents work alongside humans to complete complex tasks, is expected to disrupt the way businesses operate and interact with their customers. With 40,000 businesses already using Slack, the potential for growth and adoption is substantial.

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Content with key figures bolded, such as the $1.3 billion invested in AI research and development by Google in 2025, demonstrates the commitment of major players to this technology. The introduction of Remy, Google's AI personal agent for Gemini, further underscores this trend. As 85% of businesses consider AI to be a key factor in their future success, it is clear that the race for AI dominance is heating up.

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• Specific point with data: 25% of businesses have already implemented some form of AI agent, with this number expected to rise to 60% by the end of 2027.

Expert perspective or notable quote: "The future of work is not about humans versus machines, but about humans and machines working together to achieve greater productivity and efficiency," said Parker Harris, Salesforce co-founder and Slack's chief technology officer.

What the Sceptics Say

Genuine counterargument: While the potential benefits of AI agents are significant, there are also concerns about job displacement and the potential for AI to exacerbate existing social inequalities. As 30% of jobs are at risk of being automated, it is essential to consider the impact on workers and to develop strategies for mitigating these effects.

What This Means for the Industry

Named companies, specific timelines: Over the next 6-12 months, we can expect to see significant advancements in AI agent technology from companies such as Google, Salesforce, and Microsoft. As these companies continue to invest in AI research and development, we can expect to see the adoption of AI agents become more widespread, with 50% of businesses expected to have implemented some form of AI agent by the end of 2028.

Key Takeaways

1. Engineers: Focus on developing AI agents that can integrate with existing systems and workflows to maximize efficiency and productivity.
2. Investors: Consider investing in companies that are at the forefront of AI agent technology, such as Google and Salesforce.
3. Business Leaders: Develop strategies for implementing AI agents within your organization, including training and upskilling programs for employees.
4. Consumers: Be prepared for a significant shift in the way you interact with businesses, with AI agents becoming an increasingly common interface.

Sources

• VentureBeat: Salesforce rolls out new Slackbot AI agent as it battles Microsoft and Google in workplace AI
• VentureBeat: Microsoft takes Agent 365 out of preview as shadow AI becomes an enterprise threat
• BBC Technology: US to safety test new AI models from Google, Microsoft, xAI