is this not what we have our IRC chat for?
Yes, but it's a bit outdated and not very user-friendly IMO. Discord has a lot more functionality and is overall easier to use.
This is very true.
Discord also has chat history, allows uploading of files up to 8mb directly into a chat, and massive customisability in terms of channels (voice and text), roles for members, notifications etc.
It has applications for computers, mobiles and can be just in a browser.
It's also all free to both use, and set up servers on. No ads either. The only way they get money is with paid premium profiles that give you gif avatars, 50mb uploads and the ability to use custom emotes on every server you are in even if the admin/s on that server haven't added them.