Salesforce to Open 1st AI Center in London

FILE PHOTO: The company logo for Salesforce.com is displayed on the Salesforce Tower in New York City, US, March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The company logo for Salesforce.com is displayed on the Salesforce Tower in New York City, US, March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
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Salesforce to Open 1st AI Center in London

FILE PHOTO: The company logo for Salesforce.com is displayed on the Salesforce Tower in New York City, US, March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The company logo for Salesforce.com is displayed on the Salesforce Tower in New York City, US, March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

Salesforce has picked London for its first AI center, where it said industry experts, developers and customers will be able to collaborate on innovation and develop new skills.
The US 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.



China Vows to Protect its Rights against US Chip Probe

A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
TT

China Vows to Protect its Rights against US Chip Probe

A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo

China's commerce ministry vowed on Monday to take all necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests in response to the United States' investigation into the Chinese semiconductor industry.

The investigation will disrupt global chip supply chains and harm the interests of US firms and consumers, the ministry statement said.

On Monday, the Biden administration announced a last-minute trade investigation into Chinese-made "legacy" semiconductors that could heap more US tariffs on chips from China that power everyday goods from autos to washing machines to telecoms gear, Reuters reported.

The "Section 301" probe, launched just four weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, will be handed over to his administration in January for completion, Biden administration officials said.

The effort could offer Trump a ready avenue to begin imposing some of the hefty, 60% tariffs that he has threatened on Chinese imports.

Departing President Joe Biden has already imposed a 50% US tariff on Chinese semiconductors that starts on Jan. 1. His administration has tightened export curbs on advanced AI and memory chips and chipmaking equipment to China and also recently increased tariffs to 50% on Chinese solar wafers and polysilicon.