OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has sharply criticized popular workplace tools like email and Slack, calling email “very bad” and saying Slack “creates a lot of fake work.” While OpenAI itself uses Slack extensively, Altman admitted he finds the constant stream of messages overwhelming, particularly at the start and end of each day.
Altman argued that tools like Slack often blur the line between genuine collaboration and performative busyness, where teams appear active but fail to make meaningful progress. He said this notification-driven culture encourages reactive behavior and limits deep, strategic thinking — the kind needed for true innovation.
Looking ahead, Altman envisions a future where AI-native productivity tools replace traditional suites such as Docs, Slides, Email, and Slack. These platforms would use autonomous AI agents to handle routine communication and project management, surfacing only critical issues to humans. The goal, he explained, is to eliminate fake work and enhance genuine productivity.
His remarks have reignited debate about the future of office communication and the inefficiencies of existing collaboration tools. Elon Musk also commented, suggesting that OpenAI’s growing independence from partners like Microsoft could set the stage for direct competition.
Altman’s critique reflects a broader shift in workplace software, as generative AI begins to fundamentally reshape how teams collaborate, make decisions, and stay productive — signaling a new era where intelligent automation could redefine the modern workday.
See What’s Next in Tech With the Fast Forward Newsletter
Tweets From @varindiamag
Nothing to see here - yet
When they Tweet, their Tweets will show up here.
