Salesforce Monthly Updates for June 2023 by saasguru

June proved to be an exhilarating month for Salesforce, with a primary focus on harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance their offerings and empower businesses across industries. In this report, we will delve into the cutting-edge advancements in AI-driven solutions, strategic partnerships, and industry news that dominated the Salesforce ecosystem throughout the month.

This wrap-up will provide you with valuable insights into the significant occurrences that have shaped June as the month dedicated to AI for Salesforce. So, let’s dive in and explore the remarkable innovations that emerged from the intersection of Salesforce and AI during June!

Ensure that you don’t miss out on the Salesforce May 2023 round up before you dive into the guide to explore the updates from the June 23 month. 

Salesforce Announces Marketing GPT and Commerce GPT

On June 7, during the Salesforce Connections event, the company announced the introduction of Marketing GPT and Commerce GPT for Salesforce customers utilizing Marketing Cloud and Commerce Cloud. These innovative features are set to revolutionize marketing strategies by simplifying audience targeting and email generation and elevating commerce teams’ ability to create enhanced shopping experiences and customer journeys. What’s even more remarkable is that both Marketing GPT and Commerce GPT can seamlessly connect with Data Cloud, enabling these tools to leverage data from any source for optimal performance and results.

This groundbreaking integration empowers users to harness real-time customer profiles within Data Cloud, enriched with data from diverse sources. While utilizing Data Cloud is not mandatory to access the Salesforce GPT features, it undoubtedly unlocks a plethora of additional possibilities and functionalities. In this comprehensive wrap-up, we will explore the seamless combination of generative AI capabilities, OpenAI data, and Salesforce Data Cloud, highlighting the advantages and opportunities they present. 

Salesforce Introduces WhatsApp for its Service Cloud

Salesforce has officially announced the availability of WhatsApp for Service Cloud, a groundbreaking solution that harnesses the power of data and AI. The incorporation of this integration enables companies to establish effective interactions with their clientele by providing tailor-made and proactive messaging encounters through a range of marketing and service channels. By utilizing WhatsApp for Service Cloud, customers can now take advantage of the following perks: 

• Augmented Personalization through Artificial Intelligence and Data: Through the amalgamation of data from diverse channels and systems, enterprises can now personalize interactions on the WhatsApp Business Platform using intelligent analysis and suggestions. 
• Automation of 24/7 Self-Service on a Large Scale: By integrating AI-driven chatbots with WhatsApp, service teams can greatly enhance the rate of successfully diverting cases and streamline issue resolutions. This is achieved by automating a wide range of tasks, from addressing simple and repetitive queries like “Where’s my order?” to manage complex, multi-step processes such as replacing missing items.

Salesforce and Google Cloud Announce Expanded Strategic Partnership to Unlock the Power of AI

Salesforce and Google Cloud have joined forces to provide customers with seamless access to their data across multiple platforms and clouds. This collaboration aims to create a unified data environment, similar to having all data stored in a single location, without the need for data copies or complex ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes. By eliminating these barriers, businesses can reduce costs and simplify data movement while maintaining governance and trust.

The strategic partnership between Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) and Google Cloud extends further, focusing on empowering businesses to leverage data and AI for delivering highly personalized customer experiences, gaining deeper insights into customer behavior, and executing more effective campaigns across marketing, sales, service, and commerce.

With these advancements, businesses can leverage their own data and custom AI models to accurately anticipate customer needs. Additionally, the synchronization of data across different platforms becomes more streamlined, reducing costs, risks, and complexities associated with data management.

Salesforce Data Cloud and Google Vertex AI

Exciting new collaborations between Salesforce Data Cloud and Google Cloud’s Vertex AI have been introduced to empower customers with enhanced capabilities. These integrations allow customers to utilize their own models from Vertex AI seamlessly within the Salesforce Platform, catering to the unique requirements of their businesses. This enables them to address specific needs like predicting purchasing patterns or estimating customer churn probabilities by leveraging their Salesforce Customer 360 data.

The integration also brings forth the concept of zero-copy data access for AI model training. This groundbreaking feature maximizes a company’s investment in AI by granting immediate access to unified customer data. As a result, the process of model development is streamlined, leading to improved accuracy and efficiency in AI predictions and insights. 

Salesforce Days and Marc Benioff’s Announcements of Trusted AI

During a presentation by Benioff and other Salesforce leaders, the company’s AI strategy was unveiled, reflecting the evolving landscape of a business world captivated by the possibilities and associated risks of generative AI.

Benioff emphasized that the primary focus of their AI efforts is to establish trusted and responsible AI practices. He expressed that customers, especially large enterprises, are both fascinated and apprehensive about the potential of this technology. Acknowledging the influence of popular culture’s portrayal of AI, he mentioned the need to address concerns and misconceptions surrounding its capabilities. He emphasized the importance of establishing safeguards and a “trust layer” that would facilitate the use of AI tools with Salesforce customers, ensuring data privacy without compromising its integrity. Benioff recognized the responsibility placed upon Salesforce as they navigated this frontier.

Salesforce Unveils AI Cloud

Salesforce has made a significant announcement regarding the introduction of AI Cloud. This innovative platform is specifically designed for CRM, revolutionizing customer experiences and enhancing overall company productivity. By seamlessly integrating AI, data, analytics, and automation, AI Cloud offers a reliable and real-time generative AI solution that is tailored for enterprise use.

One of the key components of AI Cloud is the groundbreaking Einstein Trust Layer, which sets a new industry standard for trustworthy enterprise AI. This layer not only harnesses the power of generative AI but also prioritizes data privacy and security, ensuring that businesses can leverage AI capabilities without compromising sensitive information.

Additionally, the Einstein Trust Layer makes AI Cloud an open and extensible platform, allowing businesses to optimize the selection of AI models for specific tasks while granting customers the freedom to choose the most suitable options for their needs.

Numerous renowned clients, such as AAA – The Auto Club Group, Gucci, Inspirato, and RBC US Wealth Management, have already begun to witness the worth and advantages of Salesforce’s latest AI-driven features.

Salesforce Ventures Reinforces Commitment to Generative AI Fund

Salesforce Ventures is taking significant steps to amplify its support for the AI startup ecosystem and promote the advancement of responsible generative AI. As part of this ongoing commitment, the Generative AI Fund is being expanded, with its initial $250 million fund now doubling to $500 million.

To further strengthen its AI startup ecosystem, Salesforce Ventures has welcomed two new additions, Humane and Tribble, to join the group of AI innovators supported by the fund. This expansion aims to foster collaboration and innovation within the AI community.

The Generative AI Fund has already made strategic investments in renowned AI companies such as Hearth and You.com. In a recent development, the fund has announced additional investments in Anthropic and Cohere, solidifying its commitment to identifying and supporting promising AI ventures.

AI for Impact

Salesforce is introducing the Salesforce Accelerator – AI for Impact with the aim of bridging the AI access gap. This initiative provides purpose-driven organizations with flexible funding, pro-bono expertise, and cutting-edge technology. The goal is to empower these organizations to accelerate the development and implementation of generative AI-based solutions that address the world’s most pressing challenges.

In the year 2023, the accelerator will allocate $2 million to a cohort of education, workforce, and climate-focused organizations. This funding will enable them to advance the ethical and equitable utilization of trusted AI. Furthermore, Salesforce will facilitate innovation sessions with grant recipients and partners to better understand the opportunities and risks associated with AI. The aim is to identify solutions that benefit their respective communities.

The AI for Impact Accelerator is the second accelerator launched by Salesforce, building upon previous programming initiatives that have focused on sourcing innovative ideas and providing critical support and funding to organizations. Topics covered include nature preservation, climate justice, and equity in education.

Salesforce also offers an opportunity for anyone, including nonprofits, to develop their skills in generative AI through their free online learning platform, Trailhead. This platform provides learning content covering the fundamentals of AI, data analytics, ethical AI system development, and more, supporting individuals in advancing their careers.

Salesforce Research on Generative AI

According to the latest discoveries from Salesforce’s ongoing Generative AI Snapshot Research Series, which involves surveying more than 4,000 full-time employees, it has been revealed that 73% of these employees perceive generative AI as introducing new security risks. However, it is worth noting that a majority of them either currently use or have plans to implement this technology.

Despite their concerns, the research highlights a significant knowledge gap in terms of knowing how to safeguard their companies against these risks. The findings indicate that few employees possess the necessary understanding or strategies to protect their organizations effectively.

Some New and Exciting Products

• Consumer Goods Cloud for Service
• Trade Promotion Effectiveness Dashboards, and
• Mulesoft Direct for Consumer goods powered by the latest Einstein technology. 

These products help businesses improve their topline and bottom-line growth, push customer satisfaction and enhance productivity.

Salesforce Partnered with Tent on World Refugee Day

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, Salesforce has made a significant announcement of its partnership with Tent.org. This collaboration aims to provide valuable opportunities for 1,500 refugees to enhance their skills and support the hiring of 600 refugees through the Salesforce Talent Alliance. By joining forces with Tent.org, Salesforce builds upon its existing initiatives to assist displaced individuals, leveraging its ecosystem of customers, partners, refugee-serving nonprofit organizations, and the active participation of its employees.

The significance of this partnership is underscored by the fact that the UNHCR estimates a staggering 110 million individuals worldwide are currently displaced, including refugees and asylum seekers affected by various conflicts, natural disasters, and crises. It is crucial to provide skills training, access to employment opportunities, and support for their basic needs in order to empower refugees to move beyond displacement and rebuild their lives for a better future.

Summing Up

Salesforce made significant strides in various areas, reflecting its commitment to driving positive change and innovation. Salesforce’s monthly wrap-up for June showcases the company’s dedication to making a difference. 

Through partnerships, research, and initiatives, Salesforce is actively working towards a more inclusive and secure future, supporting refugees and addressing the challenges of emerging technologies. Stay tuned on saasguru for more latest updates and information on the Salesforce ecosystem.