UPDATE 3-Salesforce CEO eyes artificial intelligence for robust growth

May 18 (Reuters) - Salesforce.com Inc, a marketing-and-sales software provider for 17 years, may be joining the ranks of the technology old-guard, but the 27 percent first-quarter revenue growth it posted on Wednesday still showed some startup zip. The company also provided a rosy outlook, raising its full-year revenue forecast and predicting that technology like artificial intelligence would drive future growth. Shares of Salesforce, seen as a barometer for the cloud-computing sector, rose 5.9 percent in after-hours trading. Cloud-delivered software, provided online on a subscription basis, has gained popularity with businesses due to its flexibility and cost benefits. Salesforce, founded in 1999, has won market share from more traditional software providers such as Oracle Corp and SAP AG, Chief Executive Marc Benioff reminded analysts on a conference call after the company reported its earnings.