Meta has announced the appointment of Clara Shih, formerly Salesforce’s CEO of AI, to head its newly formed Business AI group. This initiative aims to develop AI tools for businesses utilizing Meta’s platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp to connect with consumers. Shih shared the news in a LinkedIn post, highlighting her vision to make advanced AI accessible to businesses and empower them to succeed in the evolving AI era.
Adam Evans, another Salesforce AI executive, will assume Shih’s previous role, now serving as the executive vice president and general manager of AI at Salesforce. Meta confirmed the new appointment and Business AI group, underscoring its focus on leveraging its Llama large language models to enhance its existing platforms.
Meta’s approach to AI differs from companies like OpenAI and Google, which sell subscriptions to their AI chatbots. Instead, Meta uses an open-source model to integrate AI into its apps, betting that these tools will improve user experience and drive growth. The Business AI group plans to offer AI-driven products to millions of advertisers and content creators on Meta’s platforms. While details are scarce, tools for generating AI-powered ads and content seem likely.
John Hegeman, Meta’s VP and Head of Monetization, emphasized the opportunities these advancements bring to businesses, enhancing efficiency and customer experience. He expressed confidence in Shih’s leadership to realize this vision.
Shih’s move to Meta comes after a mixed tenure at Salesforce, where AI efforts struggled to gain momentum. Earlier this year, Salesforce faced investor concerns over its slow growth amid the AI boom, prompting the company to intensify its focus on AI.
This new role marks a return to familiar territory for Shih, who authored The Facebook Era in 2009. At Meta, she is poised to lead the development of AI tools that could redefine how businesses advertise and create content on the platform.
