Salesforce has revealed that it is opening its first AI Center in London, as well as launching Data Cloud on Hyperforce for UK customers – signaling a clear “vote of confidence” in the UK AI market.
Announced at the company’s annual London World Tour, the AI center will be a physical space located in London’s Blue Fin building that will act as a collaborative hub for industry experts, partners, and customers.
The Salesforce Center is arguably the company’s biggest UK-based project since last year’s pledge to invest $4 billion in AI innovation and growth in the UK, with an IDC study estimating that Salesforce and its partners could impact the UK economy to the tune of 500,000+ jobs over the next four years.
Equipping this potential new workforce with the tools and experience to thrive and succeed in AI roles is “an important focus” of the Center, according to Salesforce.
Alongside encouraging AI innovations and advancements, the space will also provide upskilling and training opportunities, with its first free event taking place on June 18 2024 as part of the company’s AI Now Tour.
In discussing the news, Zahra Bahrololoumi, CEO of Salesforce UKI, described the choice to house the Center in London as proof of the company’s “deep commitment” to the UK AI market:
AI has the potential to drive major growth for UK businesses – with the UK AI market predicted to reach over $1 trillion by 2035. To realize this opportunity, industry-leading experts must work together to develop innovative solutions and overcome obstacles.
“By locating Salesforce’s first AI Center in London, we are sending a clear message to customers and partners on AI: we are deeply committed to working closely together so that you can reap the rewards of this transformative technology, while ensuring it is a force for good.”
But the Salesforce UK news didn’t stop with London’s AI Center.
Data Cloud on Hyperforce
While Salesforce’s AI Center was the headline grabbing announcement at the company’s London World Tour, it was also announced that UK customers will now be able to access Data Cloud on Hyperforce.
Slated to be available from July 31 2024, Hyperforce will enable users to leverage the company’s cloud-based data platform to unify their data.
According to Salesforce, Data Cloud will provide companies with a 360-degree view of their customers – resulting in improvements to automation, analytics, personalized engagement, and AI.
In addition, UK users will benefit from the ability to store data locally that meets regulatory and compliance standards, as well as being able to manage higher workloads on the public cloud.
The CRM provider believes that these Capabilities will enable organizations to leverage data for “safer, more intelligent” AI – focusing more on growth and less on managing infrastructure, thus increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
Salesforce also outlined the following key features of the new UK-based solution:
- Store Data In-Country: In-Country data storage options help companies comply with changing industry and regional regulations.
- Enhanced Data Protection: A Zero Trust framework, end-to-end encryption, and advanced controls ensure customer data security.
- Handle Ever-Growing Workloads: Expand the business with a flexible infrastructure built to scale alongside the organization.
- Seamless Upgrades: Backward compatibility allows organizations to retain custom apps and integrations developed on Salesforce.
In speaking about the expansion of Data Cloud on Hyperforce to the UK, Bahrololoumi again emphasized the impact this will have on the wider UK AI sector:
The UK is home to so many incredible businesses, and we are helping to accelerate their digital transformation to enhance the customer experience, drive higher growth, and make productivity gains.
“Offering Data Cloud on Hyperforce in the UK means we can help our customers unlock opportunities to better connect with customers locally while growing globally.”
More News from Salesforce
Away from UK-specific news, Salesforce recently discussed its acquisition strategy, highlighting the importance of its M&A framework to its success.
During an earnings call, Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff, stated that while Salesforce will continue investing in “inorganic innovations,” any deals will be struck in accordance with the company’s M&A framework
In providing details on the sort of criteria that the framework will be looking for, the company confirmed that for large-scale acquisitions it will seek out organizations with best-in-class assets, a clear path to value, and a strong balance sheet.
Benioff highlighted the recent acquisition of Spiff, a compensation management software provider, as a representative example of their strategic focus.
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