Salesforce to open first AI centre in London

LONDON (Reuters) – Salesforce has picked London for its first AI centre, where it said industry experts, developers and customers will be able to collaborate on innovation and develop new skills.

The U.S. cloud software company, which is hosting 18,000 people at its annual London World Tour event on Thursday, said a year ago it would invest $4 billion in Britain in the next five years, including in artificial intelligence innovation.

Zahra Bahrololoumi, chief executive of Salesforce UK and Ireland, said the company’s customers were excited about the benefits of AI, but were cautious about the emerging risks.

“No company will adopt AI unless they can trust it, which is why we are so well positioned,” she told Reuters, pointing to Salesforce’s Einstein technology, which has a “Trust Layer” to ensure customers’ data is not compromised.

“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,” she said.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Alexander Smith)