Salesforce Unveils 'AIForce' Amidst AI Regulation & Protests

Salesforce took center stage at its annual Dreamforce convention in San Francisco on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, to introduce ‘AIForce’, an innovative AI-powered live interface layer designed for enterprise users. CEO Marc Benioff hailed the new offering as an "interface revolution," promising dynamic, intelligent, composable, and live AI interfaces that empower companies to become "agentic enterprises."

The launch event was not without its flair, featuring a Hawaiian blessing, two enterprise AI advertisements starring Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey, and a performance by singer Gwen Stefani. Benioff addressed concerns about AI products, emphasizing that "Models alone cannot run the enterprise" and assuring users of zero data retention (ZDR) with AIForce, refuting reports of client data being used to build other AI products.

He highlighted how AIForce integrates existing enterprise knowledge, data, workflows, business logic, security, and governance, into any AI interface, unlocking significant value and driving productivity.

However, the convention's buzz was not solely about innovation. Outside the Moscone Center, protesters demonstrated against Salesforce’s controversial contracts with ICE, adding a layer of social commentary to the tech spectacle.

A significant point of discussion during the keynote involved the future of AI regulation.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, interviewed by Benioff, presented drastically different perspectives. Amodei, who recently penned an essay advocating for an AI industry slowdown, reiterated the critical need for global, industry-wide safety standards.

He expressed surprise at the rapid pace of AI growth, stressing the importance of transparency, increased investment in safety, and international collaboration to set common standards.

In stark contrast, Huang championed speed and self-regulation. The Nvidia CEO argued against new laws and regulations, asserting that "Innovation/speed and safe products...it's a false choice.

You could definitely have both at the same time.

He encouraged companies to innovate rapidly but urged them to pause if they felt their product wasn't safe or the company was

out of control." Salesforce also announced Koa, its first CRM reasoning model for Agentforce, built on NVIDIA Nemotron, further solidifying its AI ambitions. This Dreamforce convention clearly showcased both the exciting future of enterprise AI and the ongoing, complex debates surrounding its ethical development and regulation.

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