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Salesforce (CRM) Boosts AI Offerings With Einstein 1 Upgrades

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Salesforce, Inc. (CRM - Free Report) has unveiled groundbreaking upgrades to its Einstein 1 Platform, introducing two game-changing features — the Data Cloud Vector Database and Einstein Copilot Search. These innovations mark a significant leap in harnessing the power of enterprise data for unparalleled artificial intelligence (AI)-driven insights.

Shares of Salesforce have outperformed the industry in the year-to-date (YTD) period. CRM’s shares have rallied 94% YTD compared with the Zacks Computer – Software industry’s 55.4% growth.

What the Upgrade Brings to Einstein 1

The Data Cloud Vector Database resolves the challenge of refining large language models (LLMs) by seamlessly integrating all forms of enterprise data into AI prompts. This breakthrough empowers customers to deploy reliable, relevant generative AI across Salesforce applications without the complexities of fine-tuning off-the-shelf LLMs.

Integrated into the Einstein 1 Platform, the Data Cloud Vector Database enables AI, automation and analytics, amplifying decision-making and customer insights across every Salesforce CRM application. The database also fuels Einstein Copilot Search, enhancing Salesforce's AI assistant with dynamic search capabilities that leverage structured and unstructured business data, delivering precise information directly within the workflow.

This innovation's core capabilities are exemplary. By unifying varied data types like PDFs, emails and purchase histories, it aligns unstructured and structured data for increased business value. For instance, service leaders can significantly enhance customer satisfaction by leveraging a platform that presents relevant knowledge articles to service agents instantly, reducing case resolution time and improving overall customer experience.

Furthermore, Einstein Copilot Search, set for release in February, expands the AI assistant's capabilities by interpreting complex queries using real-time insights from diverse data sources. This feature unlocks new possibilities, enabling sales, marketing and service teams to access valuable insights (previously inaccessible) with conventional language models.

This currently Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s focus on addressing the data accessibility challenge resonates strongly. With 90% of enterprise data existing in unstructured formats and anticipated to double by 2024, the urgency to effectively leverage such data is paramount. These advancements promise to revolutionize overall customer experience and drive innovation in a data-driven ecosystem.

GenAI to Drive Growth for Salesforce

Salesforce is currently focusing on incorporating generative AI tools across its products as it looks to keep its business ahead of rivals. The company forayed into the generative AI space with the launch of Einstein GPT in March 2023.

In June 2023, CRM launched its AI Cloud service, which is the company’s one-stop AI-powered solution for enterprises looking to enhance productivity. In March 2023, CRM raised its venture capital fund for generative AI to $500 million from $250 million. Moreover, in September 2023, Salesforce announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Airkit.ai, a startup that develops AI-powered customer service applications.

The latest pilot launches of Data Cloud Vector Database and Einstein Copilot Search in February 2024, herald a new era of AI-driven intelligence, reshaping the way businesses leverage data for enhanced productivity, innovation and customer-centric strategies.

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks from the broader technology sector are Intel Corporation (INTC - Free Report) , Aspen Technology, Inc. (AZPN - Free Report) and Datadog, Inc. (DDOG - Free Report) . Intel sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, while both Aspen and Datadog carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Intel’s fourth-quarter 2023 earnings has moved up 11 cents to 44 cents per share in the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for 2023 earnings has increased 55.7% to 95 cents per share in the past 60 days.

Intel's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, delivering an average surprise of 136.3%. Shares of INTC have risen 70.7% year to date (YTD).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Aspen's second-quarter fiscal 2024 earnings has moved north 14 cents to $1.49 per share in the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for fiscal 2024 earnings has increased 5 cents to $6.63 per share in the past 60 days.

Aspen's earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average negative surprise of 32.3%. Shares of AZPN have lost 1.2% YTD.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Datadog's fourth-quarter 2023 earnings has moved north 9 cents to 43 cents per share in the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for 2023 earnings has increased 2 cents to $1.53 per share in the past 30 days.

DDOG’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 28.6%. Datadog’s shares have rallied 64.1% YTD.

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