Enterprise tech giant Salesforce is making a bold statement about the UK’s role as a global technology leader by opening its first flagship artificial intelligence center in London. The company announced on Thursday that the 40,000-square-foot facility, located in the Blue Fin Building, will accommodate over 300 people and serve as a hub for industry collaboration, AI training, and upskilling programs.
The AI center is part of Salesforce’s $4 billion investment commitment in the UK over five years, announced in 2023. It will officially open on June 18 with a free event to train more than 100 developers. Salesforce expects the center to play a crucial role in creating 500,000 AI-related jobs in the UK.
Zahra Bahrololoumi, CEO of Salesforce UK and Ireland, who will lead the center, emphasized the company’s commitment to ensuring AI is a “force for good.” She stated that by locating the first AI center in London, Salesforce is sending a clear message to customers and partners about working closely to reap the rewards of AI while prioritizing trust and ethical use.
Patrick Stokes, Salesforce’s executive VP of product and industries marketing, highlighted the UK’s stringent regulations and consumer privacy protections as key factors in choosing London. He believes that solving AI challenges in this more regulated environment will benefit their global product development.
In addition to the AI center, Salesforce Ventures, the company’s venture capital arm, has invested over $200 million in UK startups. Notable investments include AutoGen AI, a procurement platform, and Eleven Labs, an AI-powered text-to-speech and voice generator.
However, the news comes amidst concerns over Salesforce’s AI investments. The company recently reported weaker-than-expected fiscal first-quarter revenue of $9.13 billion and issued lower guidance for the current quarter, falling short of analyst expectations.
