Effective Strategies for Creating AI Tools That Enhance Workplace Productivity

The integration of generative AI in the workplace is a marathon, not a sprint, and we are just beginning this journey. Many businesses eager to harness AI are navigating unfamiliar territory, whether through experimental pilot programs or exploring how to effectively embed this technology into their daily operations. This sets the stage for product leaders tasked with creating AI tools—be it chatbots, app integrations, or native AI experiences within existing products—that employees will truly embrace.

Throughout my career, I’ve held various product roles, but my current position leading the development of Slack’s AI capabilities is by far the most exhilarating. Our product teams remain grounded, actively listening to customers’ needs and considering how AI can realistically help them achieve their productivity objectives. This commitment has inspired a set of strategies that I believe can guide other product teams through the current wave of AI enthusiasm.

Here’s a guide to assist leaders in developing new products and incorporating large language models into their business strategies and tools.

1. Root Your Generative AI Application in Users’ Needs

When designing workplace AI tools that genuinely resonate with users, always start with their needs. Instead of taking a broad, technology-first approach and asking, "What can we do with AI?" reverse the thought process to focus on the essential challenges your users face.

Common issues in the workplace include information overload, ineffective utilization of knowledge resources, and the burden of mundane tasks that seem unproductive. Consider how generative AI can address these concerns, enhancing efficiency and creating a more enjoyable work environment.

2. Focus on Guided Experiences

To promote the widespread adoption of AI tools, integrate them directly into employees’ workflows. Identify moments when AI can provide the most value, rather than relying solely on open-ended interactions initiated by users.

Imagine if employees could seamlessly receive insights and recommendations from AI during team meetings or while assessing project timelines, without needing prompts for assistance. By embedding AI within daily tasks, employees can harness its power intuitively, avoiding a steep learning curve and facilitating smoother adoption.

3. Ensure Clarity When AI is Involved

Transparency is critical for the successful implementation of generative AI, as it fosters trust among users. Build an environment of understanding by flagging AI-generated content clearly.

Marking AI-generated insights allows employees to confidently incorporate them into their projects, while secure interactions promote comfort with the technology. Offering private interactions with AI enables users to explore and familiarize themselves at their own pace, establishing a foundation for confidence before engaging in collaborative situations.

4. Stay Flexible and Value Employee Judgment

As the landscape of generative AI tools evolves, it is vital to create adaptable features that surface contextually, recede when not needed, and always justify their outputs.

Empowering employees to modify and verify AI-generated results cultivates a sense of ownership, control, and trust in the technology. If employees can tweak the outputs and check their sources as needed, AI will be seen as a valuable partner that enhances their skills rather than a substitute for their expertise.

Integrating generative AI into the workplace requires a collaborative approach, emphasizing thoughtful user experiences. As this technology evolves—from simple knowledge retrieval to advanced functionalities like task automation and predictive analysis—businesses focusing on guided experiences, prioritizing transparency, and maintaining flexibility will undoubtedly see higher adoption rates among employees and fundamentally transform how we work.