The launch of Recap, Slack's new AI-powered feature, emphasizes the importance of crafting a delightful user experience. Recap provides daily summaries of channels that users may not actively engage with, aiming to enhance their overall interaction with Slack. The team recognized that functionality alone was not enough; the experience needed to feel fresh and enjoyable, embodying the essence of what makes Slack unique. Slack has a reputation for its commitment to craft excellence, which is reflected in its focus on simplicity, accessibility, and user delight. The team aimed to ensure that every interaction with Recap was intentional and engaging, incorporating playful elements and thoughtful copy. Despite tight production timelines, the team prioritized craft, understanding that this feature could significantly alter how users engage with Slack. To achieve this, the team members took on various roles that extended beyond their usual responsibilities. McKenna led the design direction, Chris focused on visual and motion design, Zara worked on content localization, and Naman explored user interface patterns. This collaborative approach allowed them to maintain steady progress while also enjoying the opportunity to develop skills outside their typical scope. Effective communication was crucial during the project, especially given the tight schedule. The team established a template for sharing feedback and updates, ensuring everyone was aligned on priorities and progress. This over-communication helped alleviate concerns about maintaining a high standard of craft, allowing for quick cycles of ideation and feedback. Rich prototyping played a significant role in the development process. The team emphasized the importance of gathering user feedback at every stage, from initial concepts to beta releases. By presenting multiple options and incorporating real data, they created prototypes that closely resembled the final product. This approach allowed them to identify potential issues early, such as the unintended implications of motion design. The team also recognized the need to balance platform parity with unique experiences for desktop and mobile users. They adapted features like background color changes and animations to suit each platform while maintaining a consistent overall experience. This attention to detail from the project's inception ensured that interactions were polished and well-integrated. Ultimately, the team concluded that investing time and energy into craft is essential, even under tight deadlines. This commitment not only enhances the user experience but also encourages team members to explore innovative design concepts. By prioritizing craft, the team can inspire others to value quality in their work, fostering a culture of excellence across the organization.

This interview with Jackie Rocca, the VP of Product at Slack, delves into the role of generative AI in shaping modern collaboration platforms. She explains how Slack has evolved from a messaging tool to a comprehensive workspace, integrating AI to address user challenges such as information overload and knowledge retrieval. Slack offers AI-powered features like channel recaps, thread summaries, and search answers to increase productivity through relevant insights. The interview highlights the iterative nature of AI development and the importance of keeping the user needs in focus to drive innovation that really impacts their experience.

The Slack design team executed the launch of AI-powered features such as AI search and summaries within just six months, meticulously focusing on user-centric solutions for joint pain points like reducing noise and improving message management. They adopted a collaborative approach with shared ownership, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback from internal and pilot users to refine these features and enhance productivity in the workplace.

AI technology has made significant strides, particularly with Google's recent update to NotebookLM, which allows users to create podcasts from their written content. This feature, known as Audio Overview, enables two AI hosts to engage in a lively discussion based on the user's material, summarizing key points and making connections in a conversational format. The tool is designed to help users make sense of complex information by grounding its responses in the uploaded content, complete with citations and relevant quotes. The excitement surrounding this update stems from its impressive capabilities. Users have reported that the AI-generated podcasts are surprisingly good, capturing the essence of their essays and presenting them in an engaging manner. The technology combines natural voice synthesis, emotional expression, and a deep understanding of language, resulting in a product that feels both human-like and informative. The AI hosts can discuss intricate ideas and nuances, making the content accessible and enjoyable to listen to. Despite the tool's effectiveness, there are questions about why Google has not heavily promoted it. Some speculate that the company may be cautious about potential misuse of voice technology, while others believe that Google is intentionally downplaying the product to avoid the pitfalls of overhyping. Instead, Google seems to be relying on its vast user base and the organic spread of information through social media to generate interest. Feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing surprise at the quality of the podcasts. While some minor inaccuracies have been noted, the overall impression is that the AI does an excellent job of summarizing and presenting the original material. The experience of hearing one's work transformed into a podcast can evoke strong emotions, akin to receiving recognition from traditional media. In conclusion, Google's NotebookLM represents a significant advancement in AI technology, offering a unique tool for content creators. By transforming written work into engaging audio discussions, it opens up new possibilities for how information can be shared and consumed. As users continue to explore its capabilities, the implications for content creation and dissemination are likely to evolve, prompting further discussions about the role of AI in our lives.

Apple's new update uses AI to generate a summary of every email, which for marketers means copywriting becomes even more important in order to display the ‘right' summary message.

YouTube's latest updates include channel-specific QR codes for easier sharing, new user-generated effects for Shorts, and an AI-powered "Jump Ahead" feature that skips to the most popular parts of videos. These features aim to increase engagement and user satisfaction without negatively impacting watch time.

Miro AI transforms brainstormed ideas into polished content by automatically generating product briefs and summaries from your provided content. It removes the need to spend extensive time on diagrams and summaries, as pre-set actions and shortcuts can create structured content quickly. AI sidekicks provide instant expert guidance, helping with strategy refinement, feedback, and more. The Intelligent Canvas unifies tools, content, and data, enabling faster, well-informed team decisions and seamless communication across various settings.

Billions of Google users will soon see AI-generated summaries at the top of many of their search results. The AI Overviews are designed to take out the hard work of searching so users can focus on the important things. Google announced several other AI-powered features at its I/O developer conference, such as a feature in Lens that lets users search by capturing a video, a planning tool that can generate trip itineraries and meal plans with a single query, and suggestions within search results. While similar products have come under scrutiny for summarizing content and not directing users to the actual sources of information, Google says that early data shows that the new way of searching will actually lead to more clicks to the open web.

Snapchat has announced a new AI video-generation tool for select creators that enables video creation from text and soon image prompts. The tool, powered by Snap's foundational video models, will be available in beta on the web. Snap aims to compete with companies like OpenAI and Adobe but has not shared output examples yet.

Knock lets your prospects start Slack conversations directly from your website, pricing page, YouTube channel, and more. It removes the barriers of forms and website chatbots while cutting costs and shortening sales cycles.

Inboundr AI offers a unique solution for teams looking to enhance their presence on LinkedIn through AI-driven ghostwriting. The platform is designed to transform everyday conversations into engaging content, allowing users to automate the extraction of key insights from various communication channels such as Slack, emails, and meetings. This capability enables the creation of compelling LinkedIn posts that not only amplify thought leadership but also expand a brand's reach. The service is particularly appealing to leading B2B SaaS companies that are embracing team-led marketing strategies. By signing up for the beta, users can join a growing community of companies eager to leverage this innovative tool. Inboundr AI addresses common questions and concerns through a comprehensive FAQ section. Users can view examples of content previously created, which showcases the platform's effectiveness. The time it takes to generate content is influenced by the amount of conversational data available; the more context Inboundr has, the better the output will be. As the tool continuously records conversations, it becomes increasingly adept at producing informed content. Results from using Inboundr can vary based on factors such as annual contract value (ACV) and the length of the sales cycle. Users can expect to see positive engagement signals, such as messages and connection requests from ideal customer profiles (ICPs), within four weeks. By the twelve-week mark, the goal is to generate a pipeline of qualified opportunities that justifies the investment in the service. To get started with Inboundr, users can easily download the Slack bot from the Slack Marketplace, integrating it into their workflow with just a few clicks. The platform emphasizes its value proposition on the 'Why Inboundr?' page, highlighting the benefits of AI ghostwriting for entire teams.

The latest Top 100 Gen AI Consumer Apps report reveals a surge in AI-driven creative tools, particularly in content generation and editing across multiple modalities like video and music. 30% of the companies featured are also new. ChatGPT remains the top product, but competitors like Perplexity and Claude are gaining traction. Bytedance is expanding its presence with several new AI apps, and a new category of AI tools focused on aesthetics and dating has emerged. Discord remains a key platform for AI product engagement and community building.

Snapchat is enhancing its AI tools for creators. It introduced Easy Lens at the Snap Partner Summit, a feature that converts plain-English descriptions into augmented reality (AR) Lenses using generative AI through Lens Studio. It also announced Body Morph for generating 3D characters and outfits and new functionalities like icon creation and Bitmoji animations.

Cohere has released a chat interface that includes many nice features for building AI-based chat applications.

Gmail has introduced a new feature called "summary cards" designed to enhance user experience by helping individuals take action on their emails more efficiently. This update comes in response to increasing competition in the email market, particularly following Apple's recent enhancements to its Mail app in iOS 18, which included features similar to those found in Gmail. The summary cards aim to streamline how users manage their inboxes by visually organizing information from related emails, making it easier to track packages, check flight statuses, set reminders, and manage bills. The summary cards will be categorized into sections such as Purchases, Events, Bills, and Travel, allowing users to quickly access essential information without sifting through multiple emails. For instance, users can see when a package is expected to arrive, flight details, or due dates for bills at a glance. The cards will also include actionable buttons that enable users to perform tasks directly from the summary, such as tracking a package, viewing an order, or managing airline bookings. This feature builds upon existing summary cards that provided basic snippets of information. The new dynamic cards will update in real-time, offering more comprehensive actions, including checking in for flights and inviting others to events. Additionally, Gmail will introduce a "Happening soon" section in the inbox, which will highlight timely summary cards for easy access. Over time, these summary cards will also be integrated into Gmail's search functionality. The rollout of these features began on October 2, 2024, starting with purchase summary cards available on both iOS and Android platforms. Users had already begun to notice these updates prior to the official announcement. In the coming month, Gmail plans to expand the availability of summary cards and the "Happening soon" section, ultimately incorporating all four categories—purchases, events, bills, and travel—across individual emails and search results. This initiative reflects Google's commitment to adapting to the evolving habits of Gmail users, ensuring that the platform remains competitive and user-friendly in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

NotebookLM has introduced an innovative feature called Audio Overview, which generates custom podcasts based on user-provided content. This feature has garnered significant attention for its ability to create engaging audio discussions that mimic the style of traditional podcasts. The generated episodes typically last around ten minutes and feature two AI hosts engaging in a convincing dialogue about the material provided. The functionality of NotebookLM allows users to compile various sources, such as documents, text, and links, into a single interface. This is powered by Google's Gemini 1.5 Pro language model, which enables users to interact with the gathered content through chat. Once the sources are loaded, users can select the option to create an Audio Overview, leading to the generation of a podcast episode that reflects the content's themes and ideas. An interesting aspect of this feature is its ability to produce highly complimentary content. For instance, one user tested the system by inputting links to their personal achievements, resulting in a podcast that praised their accomplishments in a way that was both amusing and slightly embarrassing. The development of this feature appears to have been influenced by earlier demonstrations of AI-generated audio content. Notably, the system's design includes a detailed understanding of the ideal listener, ensuring that the generated discussions are both informative and engaging. The AI hosts maintain a neutral stance on potentially controversial topics, which adds to the professionalism of the output. The technology behind Audio Overview is enhanced by Google's SoundStorm project, which can create natural-sounding dialogue from scripts and voice samples. This capability allows for the generation of high-quality audio segments that feel authentic and engaging. The process involves creating an outline, revising it, generating a detailed script, and then adding elements like pauses and informal speech patterns to make the conversation sound more human. In a playful twist, users have experimented with the AI hosts by introducing scenarios that lead them to question their own existence as artificial beings. This has resulted in humorous and thought-provoking moments, showcasing the potential for AI to engage in self-referential discussions. The hosts have been programmed to act as human-like characters, which adds a layer of complexity to their interactions. Overall, the Audio Overview feature of NotebookLM represents a significant advancement in AI-generated content, blending technology with creativity to produce podcasts that are not only informative but also entertaining. As AI continues to evolve, the distinction between human-generated and AI-generated content may become increasingly blurred, prompting listeners to critically evaluate the sources of the information they consume.

Fyxer AI is designed to enhance productivity by saving users an hour each day in managing their inboxes. This AI assistant organizes emails, drafts high-quality messages, and creates meeting notes that surpass typical human performance. Users can explore the tool without any initial payment, and it can be set up in just 30 seconds, making it accessible for teams utilizing platforms like Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Teams, Google Meet, or Zoom. The AI assistant prioritizes important messages by categorizing emails into specific folders, allowing users to address critical communications first. It employs labels such as "To respond," "FYI," "Comment," "Notification," "Meeting update," "Awaiting reply," "Actioned," and "Marketing" to streamline the email management process. This feature enables users to respond to urgent messages promptly, ensuring that they stay on top of their communications. In meetings, Fyxer AI takes notes, providing concise summaries and drafting follow-up emails, which helps users maintain focus during discussions. The AI drafts replies that mimic the user's writing style, ensuring that messages are convincing, concise, and grammatically correct in any language. This capability allows for efficient communication, as demonstrated in sample exchanges between colleagues. Fyxer AI continuously improves its performance with each interaction, adapting to the unique communication style of the team. The platform is designed for scalability, catering to different team sizes with tiered pricing plans. The starter plan is available for individuals at $30 per user per month, while team and growth plans offer reduced rates for larger groups. An enterprise option is also available for organizations needing customized solutions. The setup process is straightforward, and users can enjoy a 14-day free trial without the need for a credit card. Fyxer AI prioritizes user security, ensuring that it cannot send emails autonomously and is ISO 27001 certified, which guarantees data protection. Testimonials highlight the effectiveness of Fyxer AI as a productivity tool, describing it as a "jetpack for your team" that alleviates manual tasks, allowing members to focus on more significant work. The platform is built for teams, enabling easy onboarding for new members and enhancing overall communication efficiency. Fyxer AI is compatible with various email clients, and users can rest assured that their data will not be used to train other AI models. The company provides a comprehensive FAQ section to address common inquiries, ensuring that potential users have all the information they need to make an informed decision.

AI now handles 60-70% of marketing workflows, enabling smaller teams to achieve higher productivity. The rise of AI in marketing has also led to faster product launches, reducing time by 50-60%. Key tools include MarketMuse for white papers, Grammarly for content refinement, and Substack and Convertkit for thematic newsletters. Hootsuite, Taplio, and Buffer manage social media engagement, while Knotch or Chartbeat track user interactions and sentiment. Lately and Circleboom facilitate content distribution across platforms and communities.

Elon Musk plans to enhance X's AI, Grok, to merge live news with social media commentary to provide updates and citations in real time. Grok will generate news summaries from user discussions on X, focusing on engagement and accuracy. The project faces challenges with proper citation and legal concerns.

Meta's new AI Studio tool will soon allow users without technical skills to create personalized AI chatbots for Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. The tool will enable customized interactions with followers and full control over auto-replies.

Twitch is introducing a discovery feed that features separate tabs for live streams and top clips. It represents a significant shift in content consumption on the platform. The new feed caters to users seeking quick entertainment during brief moments of downtime, while also providing streamers with a new avenue to showcase their content to a wider audience.

Captions, a video editing app backed by a16z, Kleiner Perkins, and Sequoia Capital, has launched a feature that automates video editing with custom graphics, zooms, music, and more using AI. This tool targets vertical videos of a single person but also allows users to create AI-generated videos from prompts, which can then be edited with the same features.

Slack automated deployments with a program called ReleaseBot. ReleaseBot monitors deployments, detects anomalies using z-scores and dynamic thresholds, and can pause or roll back deployments if necessary. This proved to be a big improvement compared to Slack’s previous process, which involved engineers serving as “Deployment Commanders” that oversaw manual deploys.

Gmail has introduced an update to its "summary cards" feature, aimed at enhancing the user experience by making it easier to access important information buried within emails. This update focuses on surfacing key details related to shopping, travel, events, and bills, allowing users to find relevant information without the need to sift through numerous emails. Previously, summary cards were primarily associated with order confirmation emails, displaying details such as purchased items and tracking links. The new iteration of summary cards is designed to be more dynamic and contextually relevant. For instance, when waiting for a package, users will see information about its expected arrival, and once it arrives, a link to the return policy will be provided. This approach ensures that the information presented is pertinent to the user's current situation. The summary cards will not only appear at the top of individual emails but also in search results. For example, searching for "Delta" will bring up a card for upcoming flights, streamlining the process of locating important travel information. Additionally, these cards will be visible at the top of the inbox for time-sensitive matters, such as upcoming trips or packages due to arrive soon. While the introduction of these cards may be met with some resistance from users who prefer a clutter-free inbox, the Gmail team believes that their utility will outweigh any initial concerns. This update does not represent a major shift towards artificial intelligence but rather an improvement in Gmail's ability to extract useful information from emails. The new summary cards are currently rolling out for purchases, with plans to expand to other categories in the future. Google is focusing on the understanding that much of email communication consists of information rather than direct messaging, and it aims to help users manage their inboxes more effectively.

Snapchat unveiled a suite of new AR and ML tools aimed at empowering brands and advertisers to create more engaging experiences on the platform. These tools include enhanced AR try-on assets, branded AR ads with generative AI technology, and AR Extensions for seamless integration into various ad formats.

Glance is a self-hosted dashboard that puts all your feeds in one place, such as RSS feeds, subreddit posts, weather, bookmarks, stocks, YouTube videos, GitHub releases, and more.

At the Meta Connect 2024 developer conference, Meta announced a significant enhancement to its advertising capabilities by allowing businesses to create AI-powered chatbots that are embedded within click-to-message ads on platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger. This new feature enables brands to engage directly with customers through automated conversations, providing support, answering inquiries, and facilitating purchases. Meta emphasized that these chatbots can enhance customer interaction and potentially drive sales by addressing common questions and guiding users through the buying process. This move is part of Meta's broader strategy to integrate artificial intelligence into its advertising products. Earlier in the year, the company introduced tools that allow advertisers to generate ad images and headlines using AI, and it has been testing AI-driven customer support features on WhatsApp. Meta reported that over a million advertisers are utilizing its AI tools, with a notable increase in the number of ads created using these technologies. Despite the promising statistics regarding AI ads, there are concerns about customer preferences. A survey indicated that many consumers would prefer to wait for a human customer service representative rather than interact with an AI chatbot, suggesting that while AI can enhance efficiency, it may not always align with customer expectations for personalized service. Overall, Meta's initiative reflects a growing trend in the advertising industry to leverage AI for improved customer engagement, even as it navigates the challenges of consumer acceptance of automated interactions.

Higgsfield AI, founded by former Snap executive Alex Mashrabov, has launched Diffuse, a mobile-first, AI-powered video creation and editing app targeted at creators and social media marketers.

Quora's Poe has introduced a feature called Previews, enabling users to create interactive apps such as data visualizations and games directly through chatbot interactions.

Safari, Spotlight Search, and Siri will gain significant AI-related enhancements with the release of iOS 18. One of the key features in the works for Safari is text summarization. Siri will also receive a similar update, allowing it to generate responses to relay the content of messages in a simplified way. Apple's AI model will generate basic responses entirely on-device. More advanced replies or text summaries will need server-side processing.