Meta is moving away from Google Chat in favor of Slack, as it claims that agents perform more effectively on the latter platform.

      Meta is shifting its internal communications from Google Chat to Slack, as stated in a memo by AI chief Alexandr Wang, who claims Slack is the leading platform for AI agents. In contrast, European governments have been transitioning to sovereign suites over the past two years, prioritizing control instead of integrations.

      According to Business Insider, the motive behind Meta's switch to Slack is its suitability for AI agents. Wang's memo highlights Slack's conversational interface, developer tools, and third-party integrations.

      It's important to note that Meta opted for the platform with the widest array of compatible tools rather than the top chat application. This move marks a significant achievement for Salesforce, which acquired Slack for $27.7 billion in 2021. Both Meta and Salesforce have chosen not to comment, and Google has not provided a response.

      Conversely, significant institutional buyers in Europe have been moving in the opposite direction. France has mandated that its ministries discontinue the use of Windows and aims to replace Teams and Zoom with alternatives for 2.5 million civil servants by 2027.

      This transformation is not about creating an ecosystem. Tchap, France's state-run Matrix-based messaging service, boasts over 600,000 users and operates on certified sovereign infrastructure. The government also manages its own video conferencing tool and webmail on this platform.

      Germany has taken even more extensive steps. Schleswig-Holstein transitioned 44,000 mailboxes and 110 million emails away from proprietary software last year, achieving a saving of €15 million in licensing fees.

      The International Criminal Court utilizes a similar infrastructure. It operates on openDesk, a sovereign suite developed by Germany's ZenDiS, with Element managing the chat aspect. The Bundeswehr and Swiss Post also use Matrix.

      The conversation about open-source communications is expanding, with Matrix reportedly engaging with around 35 governments, according to The Register.

      None of these alternatives were selected based on their ecosystems for agents; rather, their appeal lies in the control over the server, which is a separate issue.

      In Europe, the regulations surrounding these switches are evolving. Under the EU Data Act, a provider can require a maximum notice period of two months and must complete the transfer within 30 days.

      From next year, the costs associated with switching will effectively be eliminated. Charges for switching will be capped at cost until January 12, 2027, at which point they will be prohibited entirely. These new regulations apply to software as a service, not just infrastructure.

      This situation leaves an uncomfortable question unaddressed. TNW has suggested that Europe's reliance on cloud services poses a political risk, and the sovereign infrastructure it is investing in lacks an ecosystem for agents.