Salesforce invests $15 billion in San Francisco’s AI future

The US cloud-based software company, Salesforce, has announced a $15 billion investment in San Francisco over the next five years, strengthening the city’s position as the world’s AI capital.

The funding will support a new AI Incubator Hub on the company’s campus, workforce training programmes, and initiatives to help businesses transform into ‘Agentic Enterprises’.

A move that coincides with the company’s annual Dreamforce conference, expected to generate $130 million in local revenue and create 35,000 jobs.

Chief Executive Marc Benioff said the investment demonstrates Salesforce’s deep commitment to San Francisco, aiming to boost AI innovation and job creation.

Dreamforce, now in its 23rd year, is the world’s largest AI event, attracting nearly 50,000 participants and millions more online. Benioff described the company’s goal as leading a new technological era where humans and AI collaborate to drive progress and productivity.

Founded in 1999 as an online CRM service, Salesforce has evolved into a global leader in enterprise AI and cloud computing. It is now San Francisco’s largest private employer and continues to expand through acquisitions of local AI firms such as Bluebirds, Waii, and Regrello.

The company’s new AI Incubator Hub will support early-stage startups, while its Trailhead learning platform has already trained more than five million people for the AI-driven workplace.

Salesforce remains one of the city’s most active corporate philanthropists. Its 1-1-1 model has inspired thousands of companies worldwide to dedicate a share of equity, product, and employee time to social causes.

With an additional $39 million pledged to education and healthcare, Salesforce and the Benioffs have now donated over $1 billion to the Bay Area.

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