Jackie Rocca, Vice President of Product, AI, at Slack, is leading the charge in developing AI tools that employees will actually love and use in the workplace. With the application of generative AI still in its early stages, Rocca acknowledges that most businesses are in uncharted territory, either experimenting with pilot programs or exploring ways to incorporate the technology into their daily operations. Recognizing the challenge faced by product leaders, Rocca shares a guide to building AI tools that resonate with people and addresses core user problems.
The starting point, according to Rocca, is always the users themselves. Instead of adopting a broad technology-first approach, Rocca emphasizes the importance of working backward to identify and address core user problems. For example, common complaints in the workplace include information overload, difficulty optimizing knowledge resources, and feeling overwhelmed by mundane tasks. By applying generative AI, Rocca believes these issues can be solved, creating a more efficient, human, and enjoyable work environment.
Rocca’s experience in product development, particularly in leading the development of Slack’s AI capabilities, has provided her with valuable insights into building successful AI tools. Listening to customer feedback and understanding their productivity goals has been instrumental in the process. By staying grounded amid all the hype and buzz surrounding AI, Rocca’s team at Slack has developed a set of concepts that other product teams can use as a guide.
The key takeaway from Rocca’s guide is to prioritize user problems and tailor AI tools to address them effectively. Rather than being driven solely by the capabilities of AI technology, the focus should be on enhancing the work experience and productivity of employees. The constant evolution of AI and its integration into workplaces will require product leaders to adapt and innovate continuously. By putting users at the center of product development, building AI tools that people will actually use becomes a tangible reality.
As businesses navigate the uncharted territory of AI integration, strategies like the one Rocca shares are invaluable. With a customer-centric approach and a focus on solving user problems, AI tools in the workplace have the potential to revolutionize how businesses operate and enhance overall productivity. And as Rocca and her team at Slack continue their work in developing AI capabilities, the future looks promising for building AI tools that people will truly embrace.
