Salesforce pledges $3.9 billion to Australian AI and sustainability
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The news: Salesforce on Wednesday announced it would spend USD2.5 billion ($3.9 billion) in Australia over the next five years on AI, workforce development and sustainability initiatives.
Salesforce’s Australian boss Frank Fillmann said the company hopes to provide a breakthrough for the country’s low productivity and tight labour market.
The Context: Salesforce’s investment in "AI innovation" will come in part from its venture capital arm, Salesforce Ventures, which has previously backed startups like Q-CTRL, Airwallex and Go1.
The company’s workforce development pledge includes training employees and students on how to best use AI and AI agents. It will also feature a roadshow hackathon through Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Money will also go to backing Deloitte's Digital Career Compass and the FW Jobs Academy, both of which aim to teach AI skills to "women and diverse communities."
Salesforce did not specify how the $3.9 billion investment would be allocated across the three focus areas.
The context: "Australian business leaders are challenged by low productivity growth, a tight labour market and higher than ever customer expectations," said Frank Fillmann, general manager of Salesforce Australia and New Zealand.
"Empowering their employees with Agentforce and limitless digital labour is the breakthrough they need."
Industry Minister Ed Husic said: “AI is cracking problems once thought impossible, making workers more productive, lowering costs for businesses and strengthening our economy. But to get the benefits, we have to invest as a nation to grow our AI capabilities."
