Big tech and AI are undergoing a period of trials and tribulations. All over the world, tech firms large and small alike have been downsizing human resource pools mistakenly overinflated during the pandemic years. Meanwhile, those who are not directly involved in the industry and yet benefit from its multitude of innovations have looked at the industry with concern and a certain degree of mistrust. As AI technology improves, more and more working professionals appear to be counting down the weeks and months to when their jobs will become obsolete. However, the industry is still optimistic about the capacity for human involvement in IT in the post-AI world. US-based Salesforce, Inc. one of the most prominent customer relationship management firms in the world is acting on this optimism to open an ‘AI centre’ in the middle of London.
The expansion, which will take up 40,0002 ft in London’s Blue Fin building, expresses a surprising amount of confidence in the UK as the next tech mecca in the world. The AI centre – which can accommodate 300 individuals – will also create 500,000 jobs related to artificial intelligence in the UK – an impressive promise given the current economic climate. The facility promises to act as an AI training and upskilling centre. According to Salesforce’s statement, the office will encourage cross-industry collaboration among the country’s peers. The centre even promises to be the first one of many across the world. The centre was launched officially on the 18th of June with a complimentary training program for 100 professionals.
Salesforce’s chief executive for the UK and Ireland region Zahra Bahrololoumi, also said that it had systems in place for the lack of trust in AI in the industry. Speaking to Reuters, she emphasised that “no company will adopt AI unless they can trust it, which is why we are so well positioned”, and that the company relied on a ‘Trust Layer’ to protect customer data from threats. “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 elaborated. As artificial intelligence threatens to disrupt cyber security as we know it, this element of trust is crucial.
Salesforce announced the offices as part of a broader promise of an investment worth $4 billion in the UK. The investment will also include capital investments amounting to $200 million into startup companies. Companies that have invested so far include AutoGen AI, a procurement platform, and AI-powered text-to-speech and voice generator company Eleven Labs. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the investment a “ringing endorsement” of the country’s plan to restore economic stability. Sunak now looks to Salesforce’s investment to strengthen the national economy by making good on the promise to deliver more jobs. Even if these jobs do manifest themselves, the impact they would ultimately have on the UK’s economy can be complex. For one, the centre will attract the attention of the most skilled professionals in the industry, who may not necessarily be UK citizens. However, a sudden influx of tech professionals into the country will not have the expected social benefits of employing locals.
On the one hand, Salesforce’s AI centre will help raise the country’s tech standards to the level of future tech landscapes. It could also attract the attention of related tech companies and service providers which will only elevate the country’s profile in the information technology industry. On the other hand, AI-related developments such as these also threaten the UK’s existing IT ecosystem as it would undoubtedly be responsible for a certain level of job displacement in the tech industry and beyond. The UK can expect to invest in a certain level of resources in retraining and transition programs to ensure that the economy is not ensnared in an unemployment crisis. Today, there is also a widespread understanding that the industry is ignoring its obligation to develop the ethical frameworks necessary to ensure that humanity is protected from potential AI threats.
(Theruni Liyanage)