Dropbox launches AI tool to centralise workplace searches

Dropbox has announced the launch of its new AI-powered universal search tool, Dash for Business, designed to improve workplace efficiency by centralising access to digital content across various platforms.

Dash for Business aims to address the common workplace issue of employees spending excessive time searching for information across multiple apps, which research suggests can take up to an hour a day. The tool integrates with widely used applications such as Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Notion, and Asana, providing a centralised platform for accessing these resources efficiently.

The integration of artificial intelligence is a significant feature of Dash for Business, offering users enhanced search capabilities, real-time summarisation, and AI-generated follow-up content based on the initial search queries. Among other features, it introduces "Stacks", which enables users to create and share organised smart content collections, alongside comprehensive access permissions ensuring secure collaboration both internally and externally.

Security remains a key concern for many businesses, especially with the growing popularity of AI tools. Dash for Business has been designed with content access control at its core, building on technology from Dropbox's recent acquisition of the content governance platform, Nira. This functionality helps protect sensitive information by providing administrators with visibility over who has access to what within their organisations.

"I first launched Dropbox because we all needed a better way to find and access our content, no matter what device or platform it lived on," said Drew Houston, Co-founder and CEO of Dropbox. "Today, we're solving the 2024 version of that problem: our content is scattered everywhere and it's hard to find the thing you need to get your work done. Dash solves that problem by helping teams find information quickly, remove friction from their day, and keep sensitive information protected. We can't wait for customers to give it a try."

Dan Keyworth, Director of Business Technology at McLaren Racing, a team already seeing benefits from Dash, said, "Dash has been a game-changer for us because it doesn't lock us into a single ecosystem. Instead, it seamlessly connects the various apps and tools our team relies on, centralising all that information in one place. For a team always seeking improvements, the ability to bring everything together has been valuable."

He further commented, "Dash provides critical visibility into where outdated permissions may have access to sensitive data. This insight is essential for safeguarding intellectual property, including data, creative campaigns, and commercial assets, allowing us to enhance our security and maintain tighter control over our most valuable information."

Additional features of Dash for Business include an enhanced start page, an activity feed for keeping track of work, and improved AI-powered answers that generate deeper insights derived from user content queries. It is designed to be self-hosted by default, ensuring customer data remains secure within Dropbox's infrastructure without reliance on third-party AI services.

Dash for Business is currently available in the United States and in English for web and desktop users, with plans to expand availability to other markets in early 2025. This deployment aims to aid businesses in streamlining access to vital information and fostering an efficient work environment.