Salesforce is unveiling a pivot in its artificial intelligence strategy this week at its annual Dreamforce conference, now saying that its AI tools can handle tasks without human supervision and changing the way it charges for software. The company is famous for ushering in the era of software as a service, which involves renting access to computer applications via a subscription. But as generative AI shakes up the industry, Salesforce is rethinking its business model for the emerging technology. The software giant will charge 2 per conversation held by its new "agents" -- generative AI built to handle tasks like customer service or scheduling sales meetings without the need for human supervision. The new pricing strategy also seeks to protect Salesforce if AI contributes to future job losses and business customers have fewer workers to buy subscriptions to the company's software.

Having recently announced the launch of the new UK Cyber Security Council, the UK government has followed up by announcing its plans to publish a new National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (the AI Strategy) later this year. The aim of the AI Strategy is to build on the United Kingdom's position as a global center for the development, commercialization, and adoption of responsible AI. The UK is already a world leader in this revolutionary technology and the new AI Strategy will help us seize its full potential--from creating new jobs and improving productivity to tackling climate change and delivering better public services." The intention is for the AI Strategy to align with the UK government's overall plans to support jobs and economic growth through increased investment in infrastructure, skills, and innovation. The AI Council published the AI Roadmap in January this year, which set out a number of recommendations to the government on harnessing the power of AI, including recommending the establishment of a nationwide AI strategy. Having recently announced the launch of the new UK Cyber Security Council, the UK government has followed up by announcing its plans to publish a new National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (the AI Strategy) later this year. The aim of the AI Strategy is to build on the United Kingdom's position as a global center for the development, commercialization, and adoption of responsible AI. The UK is already a world leader in this revolutionary technology and the new AI Strategy will help us seize its full potential--from creating new jobs and improving productivity to tackling climate change and delivering better public services."

China steps up plans for using artificial intelligence to strengthen its military; Bill Hemmer reports. The President and the Pentagon are signaling that artificial intelligence (AI) is now a major priority for U.S. national security, and competition from China and Russia may be a key motivator. President Trump issued an executive order on Feb. 11 titled "Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence." It's a directive that he says "will affect the missions of nearly all executive departments and agencies," and he didn't mince words on the significance of this quest. "Continued American leadership in AI is of paramount importance to maintaining the economic and national security of the United States," the executive order reads.