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Meta is migrating its internal communications from Google Chat to Slack after deciding the Salesforce-owned platform is better suited to AI agents. AI chief Alexandr Wang announced the switch in a memo sent this week, calling Slack “the strongest platform available today for agents.” He said its conversational interface, mature developer tooling and third-party integrations could support a broad agent ecosystem benefiting employees across Meta, including those who are not currently building agents themselves.

Details

• Agent ecosystem: Wang said not every Meta employee is building agents today, but the entire company could benefit from a “robust and useful” ecosystem. Slack can place automated tools directly inside conversations where teams already coordinate work, allowing agents to interact with employees through a shared interface.
• Third-party reach: The “3P integrations” cited in the memo refer to third-party products that connect directly with Slack. That existing catalogue means Meta can draw on outside tools and AI agents in addition to Slack’s native capabilities, increasing the range of functions available within its communications platform.
• Agent functions: Slack has sought to capitalize on demand for AI agents by simplifying their integration into workplace conversations. Within the platform, agents can automate tasks, retrieve requested data and deliver updates to teams, keeping those actions and results inside channels used for routine collaboration.
• Salesforce stake: The selection is a notable customer win for Salesforce, which bought Slack for $27.7 billion in 2021 and has invested heavily in AI features and products. Its shares had fallen over the past year as investors questioned whether agents might eventually replace software used by many workers.
• Market rebound: Salesforce shares surged nearly 23% in a single session last week after the company expanded its partnership with Anthropic and released strong earnings. The results included growth in new annual orders and higher subscription and support revenue, providing a sharp counterpoint to recent concerns around its software business.
• CEO response: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff rejected predictions of a “SaaSpocalypse,” saying warnings over the previous two quarters that AI models would consume the software market had not materialized for Salesforce. Meta and Salesforce declined to comment on the migration, while Google did not respond to a request for comment.

Background

Salesforce acquired Slack for $27.7 billion in 2021. The purchase brought a major workplace messaging platform into the software company’s portfolio, creating the foundation for its later push to connect conversational workspaces with a growing range of AI products, integrations and agent-based tools.

What’s next

Meta’s next concrete step is moving its internal channels and employee conversations from Google Chat to Slack. Adoption of connected agents, third-party tools and automated workflows across those channels will indicate how broadly the company puts Wang’s stated rationale into practice.