Salesforce Japan to step up AI investments focused on data management to help Japanese firms deploy AI effectively

Salesforce Japan's Chairperson and CEO Shinichi Koide said the company plans to increase investments in artificial intelligence, with a focus on data management. The parent company Salesforce announced plans last year to acquire U.S. data-management company Informatica for about $8 billion.

Japanese companies often operate fragmented IT systems where data is scattered across departments, making it difficult for AI applications to access information efficiently. Legacy mainframe computers supporting mission-critical systems create data silos across accounting, transaction-processing, and information-management functions.

Integrated data would allow AI agents (software that autonomously performs tasks traditionally done by humans) to support systems reform and migration projects more effectively, according to Koide. He said Japan presents greater growth opportunities than many other markets in this segment.