Salesforce buys AI specialist MetaMind to avoid being 'flanked'

Salesforce.com's automation efforts got a boost Monday with the news it has acquired AI startup MetaMind. Salesforce will integrate MetaMind's technology into its own services for new marketing-automation and personalization capabilities, according to a blog post from MetaMind founder Richard Socher. "We'll extend Salesforce's data science capabilities by embedding deep learning within the Salesforce platform," Socher wrote. Socher's personal Web page now lists his title as chief scientist at the customer relationship management giant. MetaMind's products will be discontinued on May 4 for users of its free versions, and on June 4 for paid users.