US tech firm Salesforce to invest $1.0 bn in Singapore

Core Viewpoint - Salesforce plans to invest $1.0 billion in Singapore over the next five years to enhance the use of artificial intelligence agents in the workforce [1][2]. Investment and Strategy - The investment aims to accelerate the adoption of Agentforce in Singapore and the region, which allows businesses to create and manage AI agents for tasks like sales, customer service, and marketing [2][3]. - Salesforce has been operating in Singapore for 25 years and considers it a hub for Southeast Asia, emphasizing its commitment to innovation and growth in the region [4][5]. Technology and Workforce Impact - AI agents developed through Agentforce are more advanced than traditional chatbots, capable of thinking, deciding, and performing tasks autonomously, such as booking appointments and processing requests [3][5]. - The investment is a response to Singapore's declining birthrate and aging population, which have contributed to a slowing growth rate of the labor force [5]. Collaboration and Applications - In a joint announcement, Salesforce and Singapore Airlines revealed that the airline would utilize Agentforce to streamline its customer service operations [7].