The News That Shook the Chat App World

According to a recent TechCrunch report, Jack Dorsey—the co-founder of Twitter and Block—has launched a new workplace chat platform called Buzz. The app is designed to compete directly with Slack and GitHub by putting human team members and AI agents into the same conversation threads.

Dorsey says Buzz is open source, decentralized, and built to reduce reliance on big tech platforms. For Australian small businesses already juggling multiple tools, this news signals a shift in how teams might collaborate in the near future.

Why Buzz Matters Beyond the Headlines

This isn't just another chat app. Buzz is built from the ground up to treat AI agents as equal participants in team conversations. Instead of switching between Slack, GitHub, and project-management tools, Buzz aims to merge workflows into one window.

The open-source nature is key. Developers can customise Buzz to fit their exact needs, which is a radical departure from the closed ecosystems of Slack or Microsoft Teams. For Australian businesses that value flexibility and control over their data, this model could be very appealing.

However, Buzz is still in early stages. The free desktop app is available now, but it's not yet ready for full-scale business deployment. Smart companies will watch this space closely rather than jumping in immediately.

What This Means for Australian SMBs

Australian small and mid-sized businesses often operate on tight budgets. Paying for Slack, GitHub, and additional AI tools can quickly add up. Buzz promises a more integrated, cost-effective alternative—if it matures enough for daily use.

Local businesses that rely on remote or hybrid teams could benefit from an AI-native chat platform. Imagine an AI agent that automatically pulls in customer data, updates project boards, and answers routine questions—all from within the same chat window. That's the potential Buzz offers.

But there are risks. Open-source software requires technical know-how to set up and maintain. Many SMBs don't have dedicated IT staff, so they'll need to weigh the benefits against the complexity.

What You Can Do Now

  • Audit your current collaboration tools. List every app your team uses, from chat to project management to code repositories. Look for overlaps and expensive subscription fees.
  • Test Buzz on a small, non-critical project. Download the free desktop app (available for macOS, Windows, and Linux) and see how it handles basic chat and file sharing.
  • Check if your team has the technical skills to manage open-source software. If not, consider partnering with an IT services provider that can help with setup and customisation.
  • Monitor the Buzz development roadmap. Since it's open source, you can follow updates on GitHub and decide when the platform is stable enough for wider use.
  • Talk to your team about their workflow pain points. Buzz might solve some of them, but only if your people are willing to adopt a new tool.

As the workplace chat landscape evolves, Australian SMBs need practical guidance. At MS&VG, we help businesses navigate digital transformation with clear, no-nonsense advice—from tool selection to implementation and ongoing support.