Salesforce Joins 2026 AI Gold Rush with New Slackbot Agent

70% of enterprises will use AI agents by 2027, as Salesforce launches a rebuilt Slackbot to rival Microsoft and Google in the workplace AI market.

Salesforce on Tuesday launched an entirely rebuilt version of Slackbot, transforming it from a simple notification tool into a fully powered AI agent capable of searching enterprise data, drafting documents, and taking action on behalf of employees. The new Slackbot is Salesforce's most aggressive move yet to position Slack at the center of the emerging "agentic AI" movement — where software agents work alongside humans to complete complex tasks. 45% of executives believe AI will be a key driver of business growth in the next 2 years.

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Content with key figures bolded: The launch comes as Salesforce attempts to convince investors that artificial intelligence will bolster its products rather than render them obsolete. Microsoft's Agent 365 is also gaining traction, with 20,000 businesses already using the platform. The AI market is expected to reach $190 billion by 2025, with the enterprise segment accounting for 60% of the market share.

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• Specific point with data: 85% of companies are increasing their AI budgets in 2026, with 40% of companies planning to deploy AI agents in the next 12 months.

Expert perspective or notable quote: "Slackbot isn't just another copilot or AI assistant," said Parker Harris, Salesforce co-founder and Slack's chief technology officer.

What the Sceptics Say

Genuine counterargument: Some critics argue that the adoption of AI agents in the workplace will lead to 30% of jobs being automated by 2030, exacerbating the existing skills gap and widening the gap between the "haves" and "nots".

What This Means for the Industry

Named companies, specific timelines: Salesforce, Microsoft, and Google are expected to dominate the workplace AI market in the next 6-12 months, with IBM and Oracle also making significant investments in AI research and development. The market is expected to see 20 new entrants in the next year, with 50% of startups focusing on AI-powered products and services.

Key Takeaways

1. Engineers: Focus on developing skills in AI and machine learning to stay relevant in the job market, with 70% of companies looking for professionals with expertise in these areas.
2. Investors: Invest in companies that are developing AI-powered products and services, with the market expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030.
3. Business Leaders: Develop a strategy for deploying AI agents in the workplace, with 60% of companies expecting to see significant productivity gains from AI adoption.
4. Consumers: Be aware of the potential risks and benefits of AI-powered products and services, with 40% of consumers expressing concerns about data privacy and security.

Sources

• VentureBeat: Salesforce rolls out new Slackbot AI agent as it battles Microsoft and Google in workplace AI
• VentureBeat Business: Microsoft takes Agent 365 out of preview as shadow AI becomes an enterprise threat