22nd Aug '25
06mni
8 minutes read

Guide to AI features in Slack

Ever feel like you're juggling a million things at once? Welcome to the club! Let’s be honest, keeping up with everything can be as hard as finding a needle in a haystack. But don’t worry, AI is here to lend a hand, much like a good buddy always ready with a cup of coffee during exam season. From streamlining our chats to summarizing files faster than light, these AI perks are like having a trusty sidekick. Ever had that moment of scrolling through endless conversations just to find a gem of information? We've all been there! With tools that cut through the noise and help translate messages seamlessly, it’s time to embrace the tech that makes our lives easier, one click at a time!

Key Takeaways

AI tools help summarize chats, making it easier to grasp essential points.
Quick access to information saves time and reduces frustration.
Stay connected with updates without drowning in unnecessary details.
File summaries provide clarity, transforming long documents into concise insights.
Translation tools eliminate language barriers, perfect for global conversations.

Now we are going to talk about what you can expect with AI features in different plans.

Accessing AI Perks

Let’s face it—everyone loves a little extra help without the extra cost. In the realm of tech, the features we have access to are often dictated by our subscription plan. It’s like going to an ice cream shop: you can try all the flavors, but only if you’re willing to pay for that premium scoop of double fudge fudge ripple! Here’s a scoop on what to expect:

Basic Features: Think of this as the vanilla cone: it does the job, but nothing fancy.
Mid-Tier: This plan is like a sprinkle-covered sundae—just enough goodies to make things exciting.
Premium: Ah, the colossal banana split! This one’s packed with everything you could dream of; it’s the full buffet of AI possibilities.

Choosing the right plan can feel overwhelming, kind of like picking a movie on a Friday night—so many choices, yet you end up scrolling for hours. For instance, if you’re looking at AI features that help streamline your work, you might want to consider something beyond the basic plan. It's akin to having a personal assistant who knows what you need before you do. Who wouldn’t want that? With each upgrade, we gain access to capabilities that can transform how we work, allowing us to focus on creativity instead of the mundane. It’s like leveling up in your favorite video game—suddenly, you can unlock new weapons, battle tougher foes, or even fly. Sure, the extra change might pinch a little, but when it enhances productivity, it feels worth every penny.

Just remember, picking the right plan isn’t just a financial decision—it’s a commitment to how effectively we want to engage with tech. So, ask yourself: do we want to settle for basic, or go all out for the premium treats? After all, nobody ever raved about beige ice cream! With features that make our work simpler, we can save time for the important stuff—like planning our next big idea, or simply enjoying a moment of silence in a world filled with notifications. So, what’s it going to be? Vanillaville, Sprinkle City, or Banana Split Land? The choice is in our hands.

Now we are going to talk about quickly getting the scoop on conversations without sifting through endless threads and channels. So grab your favorite snack and settle in, because this is about to make your communication game a lot smoother.

Get the gist of chats effortlessly

Let’s be honest: keeping up with chats can feel like being in a relay race – a really chaotic one, where everyone is shouting, and you’re just trying to figure out what baton you’re supposed to grab next. Whether it’s a shiny new channel, a frantic conversation in a direct message (DM), or just trying to catch up post-vacation, AI is here to rescue us from drowning in digital chaos.

Can you imagine being able to summarize all that chit-chat in a heartbeat? Thanks to some nifty tech, those days of feeling like you missed the bus are over! You can now command a summary to pop up quicker than a microwave popcorn bag!

Summarizing channels and DMs

Need a fast recap? Here’s how we can pull off a magical summary on channels and DMs:

Fire up your channel or DM.
With determination, click the Summarize button that’s just chilling in the top right corner.
Pick your time frame – be it just unread messages or the last week – and voilà, your summary will appear like a chef’s surprise dish!
If you're curious about where the summary is pulling its info from, click the More details icon.

Summarizing threads

Want to know how to get the scoop on threads? Follow these steps like they’re a recipe for the best brownie ever:

Open up that thread you’re interested in.
Click the Summarize option in the top right corner. Your summary will pop up faster than you can say 'urgent email'.
Need to see the sources? Just hit the More details icon to check it out.

Just a heads up: Summarizing might take a bit longer if the message history is as long as a Monday morning. But hey, while the summary is brewing, maybe take a breather or tackle another task. Maybe even make a cup of that fancy tea!

With these tricks, keeping in the loop isn’t just easier; it’s downright enjoyable. So, next time you’re staring at a mountain of messages, remember: we can make sense of the madness without losing our minds!

Next, we're going to chat about how to dig up the right answers using Slack. This platform is like a treasure chest of information, and it’s often just a question away!

Finding Your Information Fast

When you’ve got a burning question—like “What’s the deadline for that big project?”—you don't need to go on a wild goose chase. There's a simpler way!

Here's the lowdown on how to effectively search in Slack:

Platform	Steps to Search
Desktop	Click the search field at the top of Slack. Type your question into the search field and hit Enter. Watch AI responses pop up at the top of your search results!
Mobile	Tap the search field at the top of Slack. Type your question and tap Search (or use that trusty magnifying glass icon). AI answers will greet you at the top of your search results.

And guess what? Those AI answers come with handy citations. Hover over them on desktop, or just give them a tap on mobile to peek at the original source. It’s like having a personal librarian, minus the shushing!

For those on an Enterprise plan, Org Owners or Admin can enable enterprise search. This is great if you need info from other resources like Google Drive or GitHub.

So, the next time you find yourself pondering life’s big questions—or just trying to remember where you saved that presentation—remember that Slack has your back. It's all about asking the right questions, preferably while enjoying a good cup of coffee! ☕

Next, we will explore the nifty feature of staying updated without feeling overwhelmed through a daily summary. Who wouldn’t love that? Here’s how to get back in the loop with a little help from Slack.

Stay Updated Without the Noise

After a short vacation or a wild weekend, feeling out of touch can be a real buzzkill. Slack's summary feature helps with that, offering a neat little recap of missed messages from your favorite channels. Like a good friend who gives you the lowdown on all the latest gossip, this tool keeps you informed while letting you focus on your main tasks. Picture this: you're knee-deep in a project, and suddenly you remember those unread channel notifications—yikes!

The first time you set this up, Slack will practically do the matchmaking for you, suggesting channels you look at often but don't engage with much. It's like having a helpful assistant who knows you... sometimes better than you know yourself!
Once you’ve picked your fave channels, you’ll be able to mute them. Out of sight, out of mind—your sidebar will thank you.
Every morning, after your coffee kicks in, a shiny recap of everything you missed will pop up, saving you from the FOMO!

How to Read Your Daily Recap

Desktop

Mobile

Click Recap in your sidebar.
Pour over your recap. If you’re feeling nosy, click More details to see where the info is coming from. Want to remove a channel? Just click the three dots icon next to it.

From the Home tab, tap Recap.
Check out your recap. Tap any message for more insights and sources.

Pro tip: Feeling like adding some conversations to your recap? Simply right-click them in your sidebar and choose Add to recap. Think of it as curating your very own Slack playlist!

Managing Your Recap

On your desktop, click Recap in the sidebar.
Select Manage Recap in the top-right corner. This is where the real magic happens.
Want to add channels? Search and select the ones you desire.
Remove conversations by unchecking boxes next to channels you want to forget about—like that one ex that keeps popping up in your life.
Mute or unmute channels with a simple toggle.
Finally, don’t forget to hit Save!

Now we are going to talk about how we can easily summarize files when using collaborative platforms. Isn’t technology wonderful? Yet, sometimes it seems as if we need a degree just to organize our files. Let’s break it down simply and add some humor along the way!

Understanding File Summaries

So, imagine you're juggling six different files, from reports to presentations. It’s like trying to keep all your ducks in a row, only to realize someone tossed a chicken into the mix. With Slack, our lives get a tad easier because it can automatically summarize certain text-based files like .pdfs, .docx, .pptx, and .xlsx. Talk about cutting down on the time we spend sifting through documents! But if you aren’t seeing these summaries pop up, don’t hit the panic button! Just check in with your admin. They might have put a lock on that feature. Here’s the lowdown on how file summaries work:

Summaries only show for files everyone can access.
You’ll spot a Summarize icon right below the file for quick access.
It summarizes in the same language as the original file, so no need for a translator app.
If you want a deeper dive, hover over the file and click on View summary.

Managing Your File Summaries

Here's the kicker: you can decide whether to turn off those handy summaries or keep them on. If you opt out, it’s like saying, “No thanks, I prefer chaos.” Without summaries, any files you upload won't get the abridged treatment, nor will you see summaries from your coworkers. But hey, that’s your call!

First off, hop onto your desktop and click your profile picture in the sidebar. Yes, that little circle that makes you look official!
Next, hit Preferences.
Now select the AI option—don’t worry, there’s no math involved.
Finally, decide if you'd like to keep summarizing features for both your files and others'.

So, let’s embrace these summaries and keep our file clutter at bay. They’re our little helpers when we’re knee-deep in work, keeping us organized and, dare we say, a bit sane amidst all the digital chaos. After all, who doesn’t want to sail smoothly through their work week?

Now we are going to talk about how we can use *AI* to help us decode messages in different languages while using Slack. It's like having a personal translator in your pocket, ready to assist at a moment's notice!

Message Translation Made Easy

We’ve all had those moments when you receive a message in a language that looks like a bowl of spaghetti. The AI translation feature in Slack swoops in like a superhero—cape not included! Let’s break it down step by step, shall we?

Setting Your Translation Language

First things first, let’s get cozy with your desktop. Click on your profile picture in the sidebar; it's like finding Waldo, but way easier.
Next, you’ll click on Preferences. It’s like choosing your pizza toppings—very personal!
Now, select Language & region. We can almost hear those travel brochures calling us.
At this point, find Translation language and pick your language of choice. Voilà, you're all set!

Translating a Message

Once we've set the translation language, it’s time to transform those cryptic messages into words we understand. Remember, our translations are top secret—only visible to us!

For our desktop users:

In any chat, hover over the message like a detective scrutinizing a clue.
Click on the three dots icon in the top-right corner. It’s like finding the hidden treasure on a treasure map.
Select Translate message. Prepare for the magic!
Finally, click on See original to switch back and view the original message. It’s like flipping the page back in a mystery novel.

For those on mobile:

In any chat, long press the message like you're trying to squeeze out that last bit of toothpaste.
Tap Translate Message. Abracadabra!
Tap See original to get back to the original message. Just like going back to the first page of a book after reading the last chapter.

And there you have it! With just a few clicks and taps, we're conquering language barriers like pros. No more lost in translation, just seamless communication!

Conclusion

In a world overflowing with information, leaning into AI tools can turn a potential information overload into manageable bites. With their assistance, we aren’t just working smarter, but we’re reclaiming precious time. So here's to AI — the caffeine for our brain bytes! Let’s raise a toast to a future where getting insights is as smooth as butter, and every cluttered inbox meets its match. Let's keep the conversations flowing while AI manages the heavy lifting. After all, who doesn’t want to save time and regain some sanity?

FAQ

What can I expect in terms of AI features with different subscription plans?
Basic plans offer basic features, mid-tier plans provide enhanced options, while premium plans unlock full access to all AI capabilities.
How can I get a summary of conversations in Slack?
You can click the 'Summarize' button in the top right corner of a channel or DM and choose your time frame for a recap.
What steps should I follow to summarize threads?
Open the thread, click the 'Summarize' option in the top right corner, and your summary will appear shortly.
What does the Slack search feature allow me to do?
You can type your question in the search field, and AI responses will pop up at the top of your search results.
How can I receive daily summaries of missed messages on Slack?
Set it up by selecting frequently viewed channels to receive a recap each morning.
What file types can be summarized in Slack?
You can summarize text-based files such as .pdfs, .docx, .pptx, and .xlsx.
Can I choose to turn off file summaries in Slack?
Yes, you can opt out of file summaries through your profile preferences.
How do I set my translation language in Slack?
Click your profile picture, navigate to Preferences, select Language & region, and pick your translation language.
What should I do to translate a message in Slack?
Hover over the message, click the three dots icon, and select 'Translate message' to see the translation.
Can the summaries I receive show sources of the information?
Yes, you can click the 'More details' icon to check where the summary info is coming from.