Meta brings on Salesforce AI leader Clara Shih to expand AI tools
Meta has announced the appointment of Clara Shih, former CEO of Salesforce's AI division, to lead its newly established Business AI group. Shih will spearhead Meta’s efforts to develop advanced AI tools tailored for businesses, leveraging the company’s cutting-edge AI technologies and global platforms.
In a LinkedIn post, Shih expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating: “Our vision for this new product group is to make cutting-edge AI accessible to every business, empowering all to find success and own their future in the AI era.”
Meta’s decision to create a dedicated Business AI group underscores its commitment to expanding its AI capabilities for enterprises. John Hegeman, Meta’s vice president and head of monetization, emphasized the significance of this initiative, saying: “We believe these latest advancements in AI represent a significant opportunity for businesses to drive more efficiencies and significantly improve the experiences they offer their customers. This new product group under Clara's leadership will help us bring that vision to life.”
The new group will focus on building AI products powered by Meta’s Llama AI models for the millions of businesses already using Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram to connect with customers. While specific tools have not been disclosed, industry insiders speculate the offerings could include AI-generated ads and other business-centric applications.
Meta’s AI initiatives are already making waves. With over 600 million downloads of its Llama AI models and 500 million monthly active users of Meta AI, the company is well-positioned to scale its AI-driven solutions.
Clara Shih brings a wealth of experience to her new role. During her tenure at Salesforce, she played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s AI strategy and solutions. Her leadership in Meta’s Business AI group is expected to accelerate the adoption of AI across various industries, helping businesses enhance efficiency and innovation.
“Meta's global reach and leadership in AI represent a generational opportunity for businesses,” Shih noted. “I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to help take this from zero to one to scale.”
As Shih transitions to her role at Meta, Salesforce has promoted Adam Evans, its vice president of AI Engineering, to executive vice president and general manager of Salesforce AI. Evans will continue to build on Salesforce’s AI initiatives, ensuring the company remains competitive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Meta’s recent innovations include the launch of the “Self-Taught Evaluator,” an AI model designed to reduce human involvement in AI training. Released in October 2024, this model uses the “chain of thought” technique, similar to OpenAI’s methodologies, to enhance AI reliability.
With Shih at the helm of its Business AI group, Meta aims to redefine how enterprises leverage AI, solidifying its position as a leader in the AI era. This strategic appointment marks a significant step in Meta’s journey to make AI an integral part of business success globally.