Salesforce Unveils AI-Powered Slackbot as Agentic AI Wars Heat Up in 2026

70% of enterprises will use AI agents by 2027, as Salesforce launches a rebuilt Slackbot, transforming it into a fully powered AI agent to compete with Microsoft and Google in the emerging 'agentic AI' movement.

The Rise of Agentic AI

According to a recent report, the global AI market is expected to reach $190 billion by 2025, with the agentic AI segment driving significant growth. Salesforce's new Slackbot is designed to search enterprise data, draft documents, and take action on behalf of employees, making it a key player in this emerging market. 45% of businesses are already using or planning to use AI-powered chatbots to enhance customer experience and improve operational efficiency.

Competition Heats Up

• Microsoft has taken its Agent 365 out of preview, positioning it as a unified control plane for autonomous AI agents.
• Google is testing Remy, a new AI personal agent for Gemini, focusing on user control and taking actions for users in work and daily tasks.

"Slackbot isn't just another copilot or AI assistant," said Parker Harris, Salesforce co-founder and Slack's chief technology officer. "It's a fully powered AI agent capable of searching enterprise data, drafting documents, and taking action on behalf of employees."

What the Sceptics Say

Some critics argue that the rapid development and deployment of agentic AI agents may lead to unintended consequences, such as job displacement, biased decision-making, and decreased transparency. They also point out that the current regulatory framework is not equipped to handle the complexities of agentic AI, which could lead to security risks and data breaches.

What This Means for the Industry

As the agentic AI wars heat up, companies like Salesforce, Microsoft, and Google will need to navigate the complex landscape of AI development, deployment, and regulation. Oracle and NVIDIA are also expected to play significant roles in shaping the future of agentic AI. Over the next 6-12 months, we can expect to see increased investment in AI research and development, as well as strategic partnerships between tech giants and startups.

Key Takeaways

1. Engineers: Focus on developing AI agents that prioritize transparency, explainability, and user control to mitigate potential risks and ensure successful deployment.
2. Investors: Look for companies that are investing heavily in AI research and development, particularly those that are developing agentic AI agents with a focus on user control and transparency.
3. Business Leaders: Develop strategies for integrating AI agents into existing workflows, prioritizing employee training and upskilling to ensure successful adoption.
4. Consumers: Be aware of the potential benefits and risks of agentic AI agents, and demand transparency and accountability from companies that are developing and deploying these technologies.

Sources

• VentureBeat: Salesforce rolls out new Slackbot AI agent as it battles Microsoft and Google
• 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