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Unexpected Heat at Dreamforce
As I headed to Salesforce’s (CRM) annual Dreamforce event, I had a feeling it would be eventful, especially since I left my suitcase behind in a convenience store at JFK while lost in thought about work. I retrieved my suitcase only after walking halfway to my gate.
Controversial Comments from Benioff
Salesforce’s co-founder and CEO, Marc Benioff, stirred up controversy prior to the event when he expressed support for President Trump in a New York Times interview. He praised the president’s performance and suggested deploying the National Guard to San Francisco to combat ongoing crime. Benioff primarily resides in Hawaii now, where he is also registered to vote.
Reactions from the Business Community
His remarks took local lawmakers and members of his influential network by surprise. Despite previously staying clear of political commentary and being perceived as left-leaning, Benioff, who owns Time Inc., faced backlash due to his significant investments in San Francisco.
Cloud Over Dreamforce
Benioff’s National Guard comments overshadowed Dreamforce. Many attendees expressed disappointment in a leader known for promoting stakeholder capitalism and environmental sustainability. Despite his influence, they felt let down.
Salesforce’s New Initiatives
In an effort to maintain a positive atmosphere, Salesforce introduced new voice capabilities within their Agentforce tool, along with partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic. This integration aims to enhance user interaction with customer data through platforms like ChatGPT and Slack.
Stock Performance and Future Prospects
Salesforce is currently confronting challenges, with its stock dropping 26% over the year amid mixed earnings reports. Investors showed a slight uptick in shares following the company’s long-term outlook, but skepticism persists, particularly regarding AI demand and competition with software giants like Microsoft.
