Once established as a global capital for fintech, London is now evolving into a leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI). In the first episode of Salesforce’s Agents of Change video series, Janet Coyle, CBE, Managing Director of Growth at London & Partners explains why the city is uniquely positioned to become the AI capital of the world.
In June 2024 Salesforce chose London as the location for its first AI Centre, part of a commitment to invest $4BN in our UK business over five years. The Salesforce AI Centre is a physical space that is fostering AI innovation and collaboration by bringing together industry experts, partners, and customers to advance AI while providing critical upskilling opportunities.
Why it matters: An average of £200 million a day in private sector investment has been funnelled into the UK’s world leading AI sector since the new government took office last summer. Salesforce’s UK AI Readiness Index highlights that the UK is well-placed to be a world leader of the third wave of AI innovation: agentic AI. A strong innovation culture, robust tech investments, and pragmatic regulations have helped position the UK ahead of its G7 peers.
Industry perspective: Coyle discussed London’s role as a global leader in inclusive, sustainable AI innovation, including its appeal for AI start-up founders, access to skilled talent and tech investment. Highlights include:
- Diversity and skilled talent: One of the most appealing strengths of London for global investors is the access to diverse and highly skilled talent. There are 300 languages spoken in the city and it offers access to a huge pool of skilled talent which is key for growing a successful, innovative business. London & Partners is focused on encouraging AI innovation which is inclusive, sustainable, and ethical.
- Unlocking access to growth capital: London has a thriving financial services and tech ecosystem, providing tech companies with access to 250 banks, a stock exchange, and major global businesses – all are key to unlocking growth capital. The UK needs to continue to widen access to capital through policies that encourage tech investment and innovation, dedicated support for university spin-offs, and boosting its science and technology capabilities.
- AI will transform our lives: AI’s potential to drive productivity and growth is transformational and will have a profound impact on society in the next decade. It will enable better healthcare, more efficient transportation systems, and a raft of innovations that will make our lives easier and more convenient. In the workplace, this will translate into improved productivity driven by collaboration of human workers with AI agents which will fuel unprecedented levels of innovation and growth.
Watch the full episode here.
Learn more:
- Check out the first episode of our ‘Agents of Change’ video series on the CIO Dilemma
- Learn more about Agentforce, how Agentforce is inventing the future of agents, and personal AI agents
- Watch Agentforce customer success videos