, Author at gettectonic.com
Agentforce Redefines Generative AI

The Rise of Agentic AI: Balancing Innovation and Trust

Agentic AI is transforming industries, and Salesforce’s Agentforce is proving to be a catalyst for both economic growth and workforce empowerment. For companies like Wiley, Agentforce has increased case resolutions by 40%, surpassing the performance of its previous chatbot and allowing employees to focus on more complex cases. However, a new Salesforce white paper emphasizes that simply deploying AI agents isn’t enough to drive productivity and build trust—they must operate within well-defined frameworks that ensure responsible AI adoption. “AI has the potential to enhance trust, efficiency, and effectiveness in our institutions,” said Eric Loeb, EVP of Global Government Affairs at Salesforce. “Salesforce research shows 90% of constituents are open to using AI agents for government services, drawn by benefits like 24/7 access, faster response times, and streamlined processes.” Key Considerations for Policymakers in the Age of AI Agents To strike a balance between risk and opportunity, the Salesforce white paper outlines critical areas policymakers must address: 🔹 Human-AI Collaboration – Employees must develop new skills to configure, manage, and oversee AI agents, ensuring they can be easily programmed and adapted for various tasks. 🔹 Reliability & Guardrails – AI agents must be engineered with fail-safes that enable clear handoffs to human workers and mechanisms to detect and correct AI hallucinations. 🔹 Cross-Domain Fluency – AI must be designed to interpret and act on data from diverse sources, making seamless enterprise-wide integrations essential. 🔹 Transparency & Explainability – Users must know when they’re interacting with AI, and regulators need visibility into how decisions are made to ensure compliance and accountability. 🔹 Data Governance & Privacy – AI agents often require access to sensitive information. Strong privacy and security safeguards are crucial to maintaining trust. 🔹 Security & AI Safety – AI systems must be resilient against adversarial attacks that attempt to manipulate or deceive them into producing inaccurate outputs. 🔹 Ethical AI Use – Companies should establish clear ethical guidelines to govern AI behavior, ensuring responsible deployment and human-AI collaboration. 🔹 Agent-to-Agent Interactions – Standardized protocols and security measures must be in place to ensure controlled, predictable AI behavior and auditability of decisions. Building an Agent-Ready Ecosystem While AI agents represent the next wave of enterprise innovation, policy frameworks must evolve to foster responsible adoption. Policymakers must look beyond AI development and equip the workforce with the skills needed to work alongside these digital assistants. “It’s no longer a question of whether AI agents should be part of the workforce—but how to optimize human and digital labor to achieve the best outcomes,” said Loeb. “Governments must implement policies that ensure AI agents are deployed responsibly, creating more meaningful and productive work environments.” Next Steps Salesforce’s white paper provides a roadmap for policymakers navigating the agentic AI revolution. By focusing on risk-based approaches, transparency, and robust safety measures, businesses and governments alike can unlock the full potential of AI agents—while ensuring trust, accountability, and innovation. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
SurveyMonkey Enhances Salesforce Integration

SurveyMonkey Enhances Salesforce Integration

SurveyMonkey Enhances Salesforce Integration to Elevate Customer Insights SurveyMonkey has announced an update to its SurveyMonkey for Salesforce integration, available on Salesforce AppExchange, the leading enterprise marketplace for partner apps and experts. This enhancement offers customers new ways to automate personalized email surveys within their Salesforce workflows. “SurveyMonkey for Salesforce is one of our most popular integrations. We’re excited to help our customers make even better data-driven decisions, seamlessly embedded within their Salesforce experience,” said Priya Gill, Global Head of Marketing at SurveyMonkey. Key Benefits of the Updated Integration ✅ Automated, Easy-to-Use Survey Programs – Effortlessly create and send personalized email surveys, trigger outbound messages, and streamline customer feedback collection—without requiring advanced technical skills. ✅ Enhanced Email Collector Functionality – Unlock powerful features like automated follow-ups, advanced analytics, HTML formatting, and embedded first-question surveys to improve response rates. ✅ Hyper-Personalized Survey Emails – Combine survey data with existing Salesforce customer information to create highly targeted campaigns and maximize engagement. ✅ Trusted AppExchange Solution – Leverage the security and reliability of a verified AppExchange listing for a seamless, dependable experience. By integrating SurveyMonkey with Salesforce, organizations gain a 360-degree customer view, tracking key experience metrics like Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), Net Promoter Score (NPS®), and Customer Effort Score (CES). This real-time feedback helps businesses enhance customer retention, optimize strategies, and drive growth. Industry Perspectives “Customer experience leaders choose SurveyMonkey because we deliver fast, actionable insights,” said Priya Gill. “This integration strengthens our customers’ ability to harness feedback directly within Salesforce.” “With this update, SurveyMonkey for Salesforce provides deeper insights, helping businesses boost loyalty and convert prospects,” said Alice Steinglass, EVP & GM, Platform at Salesforce. “AppExchange continues to evolve, connecting customers with the right solutions to drive success.” The SurveyMonkey for Salesforce integration is available to SurveyMonkey for CX and SurveyMonkey Enterprise customers on AppExchange. Learn more and connect with the SurveyMonkey team: SurveyMonkey Salesforce Integration About SurveyMonkey SurveyMonkey is a global leader in online surveys and feedback management, empowering individuals and organizations with AI-powered insights that drive meaningful decisions. With over 20 million questions answered daily, SurveyMonkey helps businesses attract audiences, enhance customer experiences, and gain a competitive edge. Learn more at surveymonkey.com. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
AI and Related Tools Boost Holiday Sales

AI and Related Tools Boost Holiday Sales

AI Drives Holiday Sales in 2024: A Record-Breaking Shopping Season with Rising Returns Artificial intelligence (AI) played a transformative role in shaping the 2024 holiday shopping season, with Salesforce reporting that AI-powered tools influenced $229 billion, or 19%, of global online sales. Based on data from 1.5 billion global shoppers and 1.6 trillion page views, AI tools such as product recommendations, targeted promotions, and customer service significantly boosted sales, marking a 6% year-over-year increase in engagement. Generative AI features, including conversational agents, saw a 25% surge in usage during the holiday period compared to earlier months, further highlighting their role in shaping consumer behavior. Mobile commerce amplified AI’s influence, with nearly 70% of global online sales being placed via smartphones. On Christmas Day alone, mobile orders accounted for 79% of transactions, showcasing the shift toward mobile-first shopping. “Retailers who have embraced AI and conversational agents are already reaping the benefits, but these tools will become even more critical in the new year as retailers aim to minimize revenue losses from returns and reengage with shoppers,” said Caila Schwartz, Salesforce’s Director of Consumer Insights. Record-Breaking Sales and Rising Returns Online sales hit .2 trillion globally and 2 billion in the U.S. during the holiday season, but returns surged to $122 billion globally—a 28% increase compared to 2023. Salesforce attributed this spike to evolving shopping habits like bracketing (buying multiple sizes to ensure fit) and try-on hauls (bulk purchasing for social media content), which have become increasingly common. The surge in returns presents a challenge to retailers, potentially eroding profit margins. To address this, many are turning to AI-powered solutions for streamlining returns processes. According to Salesforce, 75% of U.S. shoppers expressed interest in using AI agents for returns, with one-third showing strong enthusiasm for such tools. The Role of AI in Enhancing the Holiday Shopping Experience AI-powered chatbots saw a 42% year-over-year increase in usage during the holiday season, supporting customers with purchases, returns, and product inquiries. These conversational agents, combined with AI-driven loyalty programs and targeted promotions, were instrumental in engaging customers and increasing conversion rates. AI’s influence extended to social commerce, with platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram driving 20% of global holiday sales. Personalized recommendations and advertisements, powered by AI algorithms, significantly boosted social media referral traffic, which grew by 8% year-over-year. Mobile Commerce and AI Synergy Mobile devices were the dominant force in holiday shopping, generating 2 billion in global online sales and 5 billion in the U.S. Orders placed via smartphones peaked on Christmas Day, with mobile accounting for 79% of all transactions. This mobile-first trend highlights the growing importance of integrating AI into mobile commerce to enhance the shopping experience. AI Integration Expands Across Retail Operations In the UK, retailers are increasingly leveraging AI to optimize operations and improve personalization. A study by IMRG and Scurri revealed that 57% of UK online retailers used generative AI for content creation in 2024, while 31% implemented AI-informed product search tools. By 2025, 75% of UK retailers plan to adopt AI for marketing efforts, and 42% aim to use AI-powered product information management systems to streamline processes. Tesco, for example, uses AI to analyze Clubcard data, enabling tailored product recommendations, healthier purchasing choices, and waste reduction. Meanwhile, Must Have Ideas, a homeware retailer, has launched an AI-driven TV shopping channel powered by proprietary software, Spark, which automates programming schedules based on real-time stock levels and market trends. Looking Ahead The 2024 holiday season underscored the transformative potential of AI in retail. While AI-powered tools drove record sales and engagement, the rise in returns presents a challenge that retailers must address to protect their bottom line. As AI continues to evolve, its role in shaping consumer behavior, streamlining operations, and enhancing customer experiences will become even more integral in the retail landscape. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
Rule-Based vs. Machine Learning Deduplication Approaches

Rule-Based vs. Machine Learning Deduplication Approaches

Choosing the Right Tool for Salesforce Deduplication: Rule-Based vs. Machine Learning Approaches When you browse Salesforce AppExchange for a deduplication solution, you’re presented with two primary options: rule-based deduplication tools or machine learning-powered applications. Both have their strengths, but understanding their methods will help you make an informed decision. Below, we’ll explore these approaches and their pros and cons to guide your choice. Why Salesforce’s Built-in Deduplication Falls Short Salesforce, while a powerful CRM, doesn’t excel at large-scale deduplication. Its native tools are limited to basic, rule-based matching, which may struggle with complexities like typos, inconsistent formatting, or unstructured data. Additionally, Salesforce’s deduplication features lack the scalability required for organizations dealing with large datasets or multiple data sources (e.g., third-party integrations, legacy systems). Businesses often need supplemental tools to address overlapping records or inconsistencies effectively. How Rule-Based Deduplication Works Popular rule-based tools on AppExchange, such as Cloudingo, DemandTools, DataGroomr, and Duplicate Check, require users to create filters that define what constitutes a duplicate. For example: Ultimately, the user manually defines the rules, deciding how duplicates are identified and handled. Benefits of Rule-Based Deduplication Drawbacks of Rule-Based Deduplication How Machine Learning-Based Deduplication Works Machine learning (ML)-powered tools rely on algorithms to identify patterns and relationships in data, detecting duplicates that may not be apparent through rigid rules. Key Features of ML Deduplication Techniques Used Benefits of ML-Based Deduplication Drawbacks of ML-Based Deduplication When to Choose Rule-Based vs. Machine Learning Deduplication Choose Rule-Based Deduplication If: Choose Machine Learning-Based Deduplication If: Selecting the Right Deduplication Tool When evaluating tools on AppExchange, consider these factors: Tectonic’s Closing Thoughts Rule-based and machine learning-based deduplication each serve distinct purposes. The right choice depends on your data’s complexity, the resources available, and your organization’s goals. Whether you’re seeking a quick, transparent solution or a powerful, scalable tool, AppExchange offers options to meet your needs and help maintain a clean Salesforce data environment. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
deepseek deep dive

Deep Dive into DeepSeek

DeepSeek: The AI Lab Turned Controversial Global Player You know we have to write about anything AI related that is making waves. And DeepSeek is definitely doing that. On April 14, 2023, High-Flyer announced the launch of a dedicated artificial general intelligence (AGI) lab, focused on AI research independent of its financial business. This initiative led to the incorporation of DeepSeek on July 17, 2023, with High-Flyer as its primary investor and backer. DeepSeek’s Breakthrough and the Debate on AI Development DeepSeek quickly gained attention in the AI world, with former India IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar highlighting its impact. He stated that DeepSeek’s success reinforced the idea that better datasets and algorithms—rather than increased compute capacity—are the key to advancing AI capabilities. National Security Concerns: Hidden Risks in DeepSeek’s Code Despite its technological achievements, DeepSeek is now at the center of global controversy. Cybersecurity experts have raised serious concerns about the tool’s potential data-sharing links to the Chinese government. According to a report by ABC News, DeepSeek contains hidden code capable of transmitting user data directly to China. Ivan Tsarynny, CEO of the Ontario-based cybersecurity firm Feroot Security, conducted an analysis of DeepSeek’s code and discovered an embedded function that connects user data to CMPassport.com—the online registry for China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company. Key Concerns Raised by Cybersecurity Experts: Global Backlash and Regulatory Actions DeepSeek’s security concerns have sparked international scrutiny. Several governments and organizations have moved swiftly to restrict or ban its use: John Cohen, a former acting Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, described DeepSeek as one of the most blatant cases of suspected Chinese surveillance. He emphasized that it joins a growing list of Chinese tech firms identified as potential national security threats. The Future of DeepSeek DeepSeek’s rapid rise and subsequent scrutiny reflect the broader tensions between AI innovation and national security. As regulators worldwide assess its risks, the company’s future remains uncertain—caught between technological breakthroughs and growing geopolitical concerns. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

Read More
Unlocking the Future of AI with Phidata

Unlocking the Future of AI with Phidata

Unlocking the Future of AI with Phidata: Build Smarter, Faster, and Better In a world where artificial intelligence is at the core of innovation, developing intelligent systems that can understand, reason, and act is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Yet, creating these systems from the ground up can feel daunting, even for experienced developers. Enter Phidata, a revolutionary platform that simplifies the process of building intelligent multi-modal agents and workflows. Phidata isn’t just a framework—it’s a transformative toolkit for crafting AI systems that think critically, collaborate effectively, and solve complex problems. Whether you’re a developer, data scientist, or AI enthusiast, Phidata empowers you to create agents with memory, knowledge, and advanced reasoning capabilities, all while seamlessly integrating cutting-edge tools. Here’s your guide to this groundbreaking platform. Why Phidata Stands Out Phidata reimagines how developers design and deploy AI agents by blending simplicity with robust functionality. Here’s what makes it a game-changer: Elegantly Simple Development Phidata’s intuitive design enables you to create powerful agents with minimal code. Clean, concise, and efficient, it’s as simple as writing a “Hello World!” script to set up an agent capable of performing tasks like web searches or data analysis. Unmatched Flexibility From integrating diverse tools to customizing agent instructions, Phidata equips your AI to tackle complex, real-world challenges effortlessly. Whether you’re building agents for financial forecasting, content creation, or automated research, Phidata has you covered. Multi-Modal Intelligence Phidata agents can seamlessly interact with multiple data types, including text, images, audio, and video. This multi-modal capability ensures adaptability across industries and use cases, from visual data analysis to language translation. Collaborative Multi-Agent Workflows Why settle for a single-agent approach when you can create teams of intelligent agents? Phidata enables collaborative multi-agent workflows, where agents work together to achieve shared objectives—like a team of digital coworkers, each bringing their unique expertise to the table. Intuitive User Interface Phidata’s sleek, user-friendly interface makes interacting with your agents effortless. Say goodbye to frustrating debugging and focus on what matters: building innovative solutions. Built-In Reasoning and Knowledge (RAG) Phidata integrates structured reasoning and knowledge retrieval directly into its framework. This ensures your agents deliver organized, insightful responses tailored to your needs—whether for decision-making or customer engagement. Real-Time Monitoring and Debugging Track your agents’ performance with Phidata’s built-in monitoring and debugging tools. Fine-tune their behavior, optimize workflows, and ensure peak performance at all times. Transform Possibilities Into Reality Phidata opens the door to limitless possibilities, empowering you to: Whether you’re automating workflows, analyzing data, or designing innovative applications, Phidata redefines what’s possible with AI. Take the leap into the future of intelligent systems and start building smarter today with Phidata. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
pydanticai

Pydantic AI

The evaluation of agentic applications is most effective when integrated into the development process, rather than being an afterthought. For this to succeed, developers must be able to mock both internal and external dependencies of the agent being built. PydanticAI introduces a groundbreaking framework that supports dependency injection from the start, enabling developers to build agentic applications with an evaluation-driven approach. An architectural parallel can be drawn to the historic Krakow Cloth Hall, a structure refined over centuries through evaluation-driven enhancements. Similarly, PydanticAI allows developers to iteratively address challenges during development, ensuring optimal outcomes. Challenges in Developing GenAI Applications Developers of LLM-based applications face recurring challenges, which become significant during production deployment: To address non-determinism, developers must adopt evaluation-driven development, a method akin to test-driven development. This approach focuses on designing software with guardrails, real-time monitoring, and human oversight, accommodating systems that are only x% correct. The Promise of PydanticAI PydanticAI stands out as an agent framework that supports dependency injection, model-agnostic workflows, and evaluation-driven development. Its design is Pythonic and simplifies testing by allowing the injection of mock dependencies. For instance, in contrast to frameworks like Langchain, where dependency injection is cumbersome, PydanticAI streamlines this process, making the workflows more readable and efficient. Building an Evaluation-Driven Application with PydanticAI Example Use Case: Evaluating Mountain Data By employing tools like Wikipedia as a data source, the agent can fetch accurate mountain heights during production. For testing, developers can inject mocked responses, ensuring predictable outputs and faster development cycles. Advancing Agentic Applications with PydanticAI PydanticAI provides the building blocks for creating scalable, evaluation-driven GenAI applications. Its support for dependency injection, structured outputs, and model-agnostic workflows addresses core challenges, empowering developers to create robust and adaptive LLM-powered systems. This paradigm shift ensures that evaluation is seamlessly embedded into the development lifecycle, paving the way for more reliable and efficient agentic applications. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
ai in marketing

Guide to AI in Marketing

The Ultimate Guide to AI in Marketing AI-powered algorithms and machine learning are revolutionizing the marketing landscape by enabling swift processing and analysis of vast datasets. Unlike traditional methods, AI efficiently organizes large volumes of data in real time, redefining how marketing strategies are created and executed. Marketing success hinges on effective data utilization, precise targeting, engaging content, and seamless workflows. AI simplifies these complexities, making them more accessible, scalable, and impactful. Here’s how AI transforms modern marketing. Unleashing AI’s Potential in Marketing AI has become a cornerstone for enhancing customer experiences and boosting marketing productivity. However, to fully leverage AI, it’s essential to understand its capabilities and implementation strategies. Think of AI as your vehicle for uncovering actionable customer insights, optimizing campaigns, and creating tailored customer experiences. While the pace of AI’s evolution may seem overwhelming, this guide will help you take control and confidently drive your AI-powered marketing efforts. Future Trends in Generative AI and Marketing Generative AI is unlocking new possibilities in customer engagement. This guide explores the challenges, advantages, and emerging trends in AI-driven marketing. From attracting customers to maximizing ROI, you’ll discover best practices and real-world examples of successful AI adoption. How AI Works in Marketing AI uses advanced algorithms and pattern recognition to simulate human intelligence in processing data. Through machine learning and deep learning, it identifies trends, predicts outcomes, and automates tasks typically requiring human intervention. Like humans learning from experience, AI improves with practice. It rapidly identifies consumer preferences, behaviors, and purchasing patterns. Two primary types of AI stand out in marketing: These AI types work together—predictive AI extracts insights from data, while generative AI uses those insights to create personalized content and solutions. This synergy enables marketers to automate tasks, segment audiences, and deliver tailored messaging based on individual preferences. AI in Action: Enhancing Customer Engagement AI enables marketers to engage with customers more effectively by: The Power of AI-Driven Marketing Analytics AI-powered analytics revolutionize decision-making by identifying patterns and offering actionable insights. Marketers can use AI tools to: Maximizing ROI with AI AI enables businesses to expand audience reach, improve conversion rates, and enhance customer relationships through personalized content and product recommendations. Its real-time analytics empower marketers to make informed decisions, while automation frees up time for strategic innovation. Navigating Challenges in AI Marketing AI’s potential comes with challenges, including: By prioritizing ethical practices, transparent data policies, and robust compliance measures, marketers can overcome these obstacles and leverage AI responsibly. Best Practices for AI-Driven Marketing To maximize the benefits of AI, marketers should: The Future: AI Copilots in Marketing AI copilots—conversational AI integrated into platforms—are transforming marketing workflows. These tools draft content, provide recommendations, and offer guidance based on CRM data, significantly enhancing efficiency. Looking Ahead: Emerging Trends in AI Marketing Over the next two years, advancements in AI will continue to reshape marketing. Key trends include: By embracing these advancements, marketers can deliver exceptional customer experiences, drive business growth, and stay competitive in an evolving digital landscape. AI is not just a tool—it’s a transformative force. By integrating AI into your marketing strategy, you can unlock unparalleled opportunities to engage customers, optimize campaigns, and propel your organization into the future. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
Salesforce Foundations

Salesforce Foundations

We are excited that Agentforce Service Agents are now live! Agentforce Service Agent is the autonomous conversational AI assistant to help your customers with their service and support needs. What does this mean for Foundations Customers?Salesforce Foundations is required for all customers in order to try or buy Agentforce. Additionally, customers who have Foundations can try Agentforce Agents for free with a limited number of credits to test a use case or deploy a proof of concept. Salesforce Foundations is not a product or add-on. It’s a multi-cloud feature set that will be added to Sales and Service Cloud — no integration needed, with no additional upfront cost for our customers. It includes foundational features from Sales, Service, Marketing, Commerce, and Data Cloud. Salesforce Foundations provides a 360-degree view of your customer relationships across sales, service, marketing, and commerce through integrated applications and unified data. It also boosts productivity with streamlined, visually friendly user interface improvements, that you can turn on or off per your requirements. If you’re a Salesforce Sales Cloud or Service Cloud customer, you’ve become accustomed to the power, convenience, and full-featured functionality of our trusted CRM. Adding the additional functionality and engagement capabilities of a new Salesforce Cloud is exciting, but it’s also a big change for your organization to consider when you’re not sure about the value it brings. So, what if you could use essential features in the most popular Salesforce Clouds and turn them on when you’re ready? Now you can with Salesforce Foundations. Salesforce Foundations is a new, no-cost addition to your existing CRM that equips you to expand your business reach. The suite gives Salesforce customers on Enterprise, Unlimited, and Einstein 1 editions the power of Data Cloud, and access to essential Salesforce sales, service, Agentforce, marketing, and commerce capabilities. This suite is built into your existing CRM, and provides new functionality to give you a more robust 360-degree view of your customers. This chart shows the Salesforce Foundations features you get with your current Sales Cloud or Service Cloud package. You get Sales for Salesforce Foundations You get Service for Salesforce Foundations You get Marketing for Salesforce Foundations You get Commerce for Salesforce Foundations You get Data Cloud for Salesforce Foundations You get Agentforce for Salesforce Foundations If you already have Sales Cloud * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes If you already have Service Cloud Yes * Yes Yes Yes Yes If you already have Sales & Service Clouds * * Yes Yes Yes Yes *Your current Salesforce product. Benefits of Salesforce Foundations The features you get with Salesforce Foundations open doors to all sorts of new ways your teams can work more efficiently and engage with your customers on a more personal level. The benefits listed below are only a few of the ways Salesforce Foundations can help your business grow and thrive. Check out Discover Salesforce Foundations to see the full list of capabilities included with Salesforce Foundations. With Salesforce Foundations, your organization benefits from: Sales features that help you take care of your entire sales pipeline, from prospecting to closing. You can manage your leads, opportunities, accounts, and contacts in the preconfigured Sales Console. Service features that make it easy to provide proactive, personalized support to your customers through the preconfigured Service Console. Omni-channel case routing makes sure the most qualified agents work each case, Knowledge Management helps agents provide accurate and relevant help articles to customers, and macros help agents complete repetitive tasks with a single click. Agentforce brings the power of conversational AI to your business. Try out an intelligent, trusted, and customizable AI agent and help your users get more done with Salesforce. Agentforce’s autonomous apps use LLMs and context to assist customers and human agents. Marketing features that allow you to join data from disparate sources, better understand and analyze your customers, and choose how to connect with your audiences. You can create customized marketing campaigns powered by Salesforce Flows to send at the right time. Commerce features that help boost sales with a Direct to Customer (D2C) online storefront. You can define customer experiences like search, carts, and checkout. Pay Now lets you generate secure payment links for customers when opportunities close, so you get paid faster. Data Cloud functionality that creates unified profiles by aggregating data from all of your data sources into a single view so you can better understand your customers. Create customer segments to more accurately target campaigns, analyze your customers, and manage consent data. Data Cloud also powers features so you can send online store order confirmation emails and marketing messages. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More

Autonomy, Architecture, and Action

Redefining AI Agents: Autonomy, Architecture, and Action AI agents are reshaping how technology interacts with us and executes tasks. Their mission? To reason, plan, and act independently—following instructions, making autonomous decisions, and completing actions, often without user involvement. These agents adapt to new information, adjust in real time, and pursue their objectives autonomously. This evolution in agentic AI is revolutionizing how goals are accomplished, ushering in a future of semi-autonomous technology. At their foundation, AI agents rely on one or more large language models (LLMs). However, designing agents is far more intricate than building chatbots or generative assistants. While traditional AI applications often depend on user-driven inputs—such as prompt engineering or active supervision—agents operate autonomously. Core Principles of Agentic AI Architectures To enable autonomous functionality, agentic AI systems must incorporate: Essential Infrastructure for AI Agents Building and deploying agentic AI systems requires robust software infrastructure that supports: Agent Development Made Easier with Langflow and Astra DB Langflow simplifies the development of agentic applications with its visual IDE. It integrates with Astra DB, which combines vector and graph capabilities for ultra-low latency data access. This synergy accelerates development by enabling: Transforming Autonomy into Action Agentic AI is fundamentally changing how tasks are executed by empowering systems to act autonomously. By leveraging platforms like Astra DB and Langflow, organizations can simplify agent design and deploy scalable, effective AI applications. Start building the next generation of AI-powered autonomy today. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
Apple's Privacy Changes: A Call for Email Marketing Innovation

Liar Liar Apple on Fire

Apple Developing Update After AI System Generates Inaccurate News Summaries Apple is working on a software update to address inaccuracies generated by its Apple Intelligence system after multiple instances of false news summaries were reported. The BBC first alerted Apple in mid-December to significant errors in the system, including a fabricated summary that falsely attributed a statement to BBC News. The summary suggested Luigi Mangione, accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself, a claim entirely unsubstantiated. Other publishers, such as ProPublica, also raised concerns about Apple Intelligence producing misleading summaries. While Apple did not respond immediately to the BBC’s December report, it issued a statement after pressure mounted from groups like the National Union of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, both of which called for the removal of Apple Intelligence. Apple assured stakeholders it is working to refine the technology. A Widespread AI Issue: Hallucinations Apple joins the ranks of other AI vendors struggling with generative AI hallucinations—instances where AI produces false or misleading information. In October 2024, Perplexity AI faced a lawsuit from Dow Jones & Co. and the New York Post over fabricated news content attributed to their publications. Similarly, Google had to improve its AI summaries after providing users with inaccurate information. On January 16, Apple temporarily disabled AI-generated summaries for news apps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. The Core Problem: AI Hallucination Chirag Shah, a professor of Information Science at the University of Washington, emphasized that hallucination is inherent to the way large language models (LLMs) function. “The nature of AI models is to generate, synthesize, and summarize, which makes them prone to mistakes,” Shah explained. “This isn’t something you can debug easily—it’s intrinsic to how LLMs operate.” While Apple plans to introduce an update that clearly labels summaries as AI-generated, Shah believes this measure falls short. “Most people don’t understand how these headlines or summaries are created. The responsible approach is to pause the technology until it’s better understood and mitigation strategies are in place,” he said. Legal and Brand Implications for Apple The hallucinated summaries pose significant reputational and legal risks for Apple, according to Michael Bennett, an AI adviser at Northeastern University. Before launching Apple Intelligence, the company was perceived as lagging in the AI race. The release of this system was intended to position Apple as a leader. Instead, the inaccuracies have damaged its credibility. “This type of hallucinated summarization is both an embarrassment and a serious legal liability,” Bennett said. “These errors could form the basis for defamation claims, as Apple Intelligence misattributes false information to reputable news sources.” Bennett criticized Apple’s seemingly minimal response. “It’s surprising how casual Apple’s reaction has been. This is a major issue for their brand and could expose them to significant legal consequences,” he added. Opportunity for Publishers The incident highlights the need for publishers to protect their interests when partnering with AI vendors like Apple and Google. Publishers should demand stronger safeguards to prevent false attributions and negotiate new contractual clauses to minimize brand risk. “This is an opportunity for publishers to lead the charge, pushing AI companies to refine their models or stop attributing false summaries to news sources,” Bennett said. He suggested legal action as a potential recourse if vendors fail to address these issues. Potential Regulatory Action The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may also scrutinize the issue, as consumers paying for products like iPhones with AI capabilities could argue they are not receiving the promised service. However, Bennett believes Apple will likely act to resolve the problem before regulatory involvement becomes necessary. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
Salesforce Einstein Commerce

Salesforce Commerce Cloud Passkeys

Adding Passkeys to Salesforce Commerce Cloud Ensuring secure, convenient user access is a top priority for Salesforce-based applications. Passkeys, a passwordless authentication solution, streamline user sign-up and login processes while enhancing security. By integrating passkeys into Salesforce Commerce Cloud (SFCC), businesses can protect users from password-related threats like phishing and credential theft, leveraging the security of asymmetric encryption behind passkeys. The seamless login experience offered by passkeys boosts user engagement, reduces drop-off rates, and fosters trust, improving overall user satisfaction. Implementing passkeys not only aligns with current security standards but also prepares businesses for the future of intuitive digital interactions and enhanced privacy. DIY Implementation vs. Dedicated Salesforce Commerce Cloud Passkey Solution When deciding how to integrate passkeys into Salesforce Commerce Cloud applications, businesses must weigh the options between a DIY approach and partnering with a dedicated solution provider like OwnID. Implementing passkeys from scratch can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, requiring significant technical effort to ensure compatibility with Salesforce systems and adherence to security and user experience best practices. By choosing a provider like OwnID, companies can implement passkeys in a matter of days rather than months. OwnID offers a ready-to-use, Salesforce-compatible solution that integrates seamlessly, features cutting-edge security, and provides ongoing support. This approach lifts the burden from internal development teams, speeds up deployment, and ensures a high-quality user experience without the need to manage authentication processes or stay on top of compliance updates. For more information, check out our DIY vs. Elite Passkey Implementation Guide. How to Implement the OwnID Solution in Salesforce Commerce Cloud Integrating OwnID’s passwordless login into Salesforce Commerce Cloud (SFCC) is a straightforward process that enhances both security and the user experience. Here’s an overview of the key steps involved: 1. Set Up an API Client in SFCC Begin by creating a new API Client in your SFCC environment. This client is essential for secure communication between SFCC and OwnID. Log into the Salesforce Commerce Cloud Account Manager, add a new API Client, and configure the appropriate roles and authentication methods (e.g., private_key_jwt). This step ensures secure integration between SFCC and OwnID. 2. Create and Configure an OwnID Application In the OwnID Console, set up an application dedicated to your SFCC integration. This application serves as the bridge between OwnID’s passkey system and your Salesforce Commerce Cloud app. Configure settings like API credentials, site URL, and other parameters specific to OwnID. This step connects OwnID’s authentication service to your Salesforce site seamlessly. 3. Install the OwnID Cartridge in SFCC OwnID provides a cartridge designed for SFCC integration. Installing this cartridge adds all necessary components to your SFCC instance, enabling easy interaction between OwnID and Salesforce. After installation, go to Merchant Tools → Site Preferences in SFCC to customize OwnID settings for your environment. This enables you to display the OwnID widget on login and registration pages, creating a smooth, passwordless experience. 4. Embed the OwnID SDK in Your Templates The final step is to embed the OwnID SDK script in your site’s templates (e.g., htmlHead.isml or a global template file). This SDK enables passkey-based login across all relevant pages. By embedding the script, you ensure users have access to passwordless login, enhancing security and user convenience. With these steps, OwnID will be fully integrated into your Salesforce Commerce Cloud application, offering users secure, password-free access. For more detailed instructions and configuration options, visit the OwnID Salesforce Commerce Cloud Documentation. Get Expert Help with Your Salesforce Commerce Cloud Passkey Integration Ready to implement passwordless authentication in your Salesforce Commerce Cloud application? The Tectonic team is here to guide you through every step of the integration process. From initial setup to ongoing optimization, we ensure a smooth and seamless experience for your users. For personalized support and to learn how OwnID’s passkey solution can elevate your SFCC environment, contact our expert team today. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
Scope of Generative AI

Exploring Generative AI

Like most employees at most companies, I wear a few different hats around Tectonic. Whether I’m building a data model, creating and scheduing an email campaign, standing up a platform generative AI is always at my fingertips. At my very core, I’m a marketer. Have been for so long I do it without eveven thinking. Or at least, everyuthing I do has a hat tip to its future marketing needs. Today I want to share some of the AI content generators I’ve been using, am looking to use, or just heard about. But before we rip into the insight, here’s a primer. Types of AI Content Generators ChatGPT, a powerful AI chatbot, drew significant attention upon its November 2022 release. While the GPT-3 language model behind it had existed for some time, ChatGPT made this technology accessible to nontechnical users, showcasing how AI can generate content. Over two years later, numerous AI content generators have emerged to cater to diverse use cases. This rapid development raises questions about the technology’s impact on work. Schools are grappling with fears of plagiarism, while others are embracing AI. Legal debates about copyright and digital media authenticity continue. President Joe Biden’s October 2023 executive order addressed AI’s risks and opportunities in areas like education, workforce, and consumer privacy, underscoring generative AI’s transformative potential. What is AI-Generated Content? AI-generated content, also known as generative AI, refers to algorithms that automatically create new content across digital media. These algorithms are trained on extensive datasets and require minimal user input to produce novel outputs. For instance, ChatGPT sets a standard for AI-generated content. Based on GPT-4o, it processes text, images, and audio, offering natural language and multimodal capabilities. Many other generative AI tools operate similarly, leveraging large language models (LLMs) and multimodal frameworks to create diverse outputs. What are the Different Types of AI-Generated Content? AI-generated content spans multiple media types: Despite their varied outputs, most generative AI systems are built on advanced LLMs like GPT-4 and Google Gemini. These multimodal models process and generate content across multiple formats, with enhanced capabilities evolving over time. How Generative AI is Used Generative AI applications span industries: These tools often combine outputs from various media for complex, multifaceted projects. AI Content Generators AI content generators exist across various media. Below are good examples organized by gen ai type: Written Content Generators Image Content Generators Music Content Generators Code Content Generators Other AI Content Generators These tools showcase how AI-powered content generation is revolutionizing industries, making content creation faster and more accessible. I do hope you will comment below on your favorites, other AI tools not showcased above, or anything else AI-related that is on your mind. Written by Tectonic’s Marketing Operations Director, Shannan Hearne. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
gettectonic.com