Salesforce UK CEO Advocates for Tailored AI Regulations

Proportional AI Legislation is Key for Salesforce Zahra Bahrololoumi, CEO of Salesforce UK and Ireland, emphasized the need for proportional and customized AI regulations in the UK. In an interview with CNBC, she explained that Salesforce takes all legislative changes seriously, but urged the UK government to avoid blanket AI regulations that apply equally to all companies. Instead, she suggested that regulations should distinguish between companies developing consumer-facing AI, like OpenAI, and those creating enterprise-level AI systems.

Different Rules for Consumer and Enterprise AI Bahrololoumi pointed out a crucial difference between consumer AI tools, such as ChatGPT, and enterprise AI systems. Salesforce's enterprise AI platforms are subject to stricter privacy and corporate guidelines. For instance, generative AI tools developed for consumer markets may store customer data differently, raising concerns about data usage and storage.

She added, "What we need is legislation that’s proportional, targeted, and tailored."

UK Government's Approach to AI Regulation The UK’s Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) has stated that AI regulations will focus primarily on companies developing the most powerful AI models, and that broad, one-size-fits-all rules won’t be applied. This targeted approach means companies like Salesforce, which don’t develop foundational AI models, may not face the same regulatory scrutiny as firms like OpenAI.

A DSIT spokesperson explained, "We are committed to supporting the development of AI and accelerating its adoption across our economy."

Data Security at the Core of Salesforce AI Salesforce has invested heavily in data security measures for its AI systems, especially its Agentforce AI platform. This technology allows businesses to deploy AI agents to perform various tasks like marketing, sales, or customer service. One of the standout features, "zero retention," ensures that customer data is never stored outside Salesforce’s systems, providing an extra layer of security for businesses using the platform.

Bahrololoumi raised concerns over the uncertainty surrounding data storage in consumer AI systems. She mentioned, "With consumer AI tools, you don't always know where the data goes."

Security Concerns in Enterprise AI Even though enterprise-focused AI solutions are generally considered more secure, risks remain. Bahrololoumi cited a Gartner report that raised concerns about Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant, which may expose organizations to security vulnerabilities.

Bola Rotibi, Chief of Enterprise Research at CCS Insight, noted that enterprise AI providers are more aware of regulatory requirements, such as data sovereignty and privacy, but cautioned that these issues must be addressed at all levels, whether consumer or enterprise AI.

Conclusion: The Need for Nuanced AI Regulation Salesforce’s UK chief’s call for tailored AI regulation comes at a critical time, with the UK government still outlining its approach to AI legislation. Bahrololoumi’s insights suggest that while consumer and enterprise AI systems serve different purposes, both need to be subject to appropriate, but distinct, regulatory frameworks.