The integration of generative AI is a venture still in its infancy. Many businesses, eager to harness the potential of AI, find themselves navigating uncharted territory, either experimenting with initial pilot programs or contemplating ways to seamlessly integrate this transformative technology into their daily operations. This presents a formidable challenge for product leaders tasked with creating AI tools that not only meet organizational needs but also resonate with and are embraced by employees. Whether in the form of app integrations, chatbots, or seamlessly embedded AI experiences within existing products, the objective is clear—to develop tools that are not just functional but genuinely loved and utilized by the workforce.

Drawing from a wealth of experience, particularly in steering the development of Slack's AI capabilities, our current exploration into the realm of AI tools is marked as one of the most thrilling chapters in my professional journey. At the forefront of this endeavor, our product teams have remained firmly grounded, attentively listening to customer needs and strategically contemplating how AI can be a catalyst in achieving productivity goals. This hands-on approach has yielded a robust set of concepts that extend beyond the buzz and hype surrounding AI, providing invaluable insights for product teams aiming to tread this innovative path.

In light of these experiences, we present a comprehensive guide tailored to assist leaders in the intricate process of building AI-infused products. From seamlessly incorporating large language models into business strategies to refining tooling for optimal user experience, this guide serves as a beacon for those seeking to harness the true potential of AI in the workplace.