Slack is introducing Slackforce Surfaces, a feature that lets users use Slackbot to create dashboards, reports, or presentations in plain language. It remains connected to the underlying data and updates itself automatically.
With Surfaces, Slack is taking a new step toward making Slackbot a full-fledged AI assistant. Whereas users previously could mainly ask questions about conversations and connected systems, they can now request a usable end product. With one prompt, Slackbot returns an interactive interface right in the channel.
The idea behind the feature is that reports become outdated as soon as they’re created. According to Slack, an export or screenshot is a snapshot; a Surface remains linked to the source. If the pipeline changes, a case is closed, or campaign metrics increase, the Surface automatically adjusts.
Data from Salesforce and Slack history
A Surface retrieves data from the conversation itself and from other sources connected to Slack: Salesforce, Slack history, and other business tools. The permission structure is important. The interface is built based on the user’s permissions, so no one sees more than they’re already authorized to see.
There are no fixed templates. Slackbot determines the right format: a dashboard, an executive presentation in HTML, a microsite, a calculator, or something in between. Anyone who pins a Surface to a channel makes it a permanent part of the workspace. Team members can filter, click through to the underlying records and messages, and discuss them directly below.
In the announcement, Slack cites several examples. A sales representative who turns their pipeline into a daily priority list where stalled deals immediately stand out. An IT team that tracks AI adoption and token usage to prevent unexpected bills. And a service team that transforms the support queue into a triage board showing SLA violations and customer tier.
Surfaces is available starting today for customers with Enterprise+, Business+, Pro, Legacy, and Free Teams, provided that Slackbot is enabled for the workspace.
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