Op-ed: Salesforce just revealed the next battleground in AI

The market’s focus on AI agents automating software tasks is misguided; the true value lies in companies owning proprietary data that AI agents require. Salesforce’s strong performance, driven by its vast data repositories and increasing AI-driven work, demonstrates this shift. Companies with valuable data assets are poised to prosper, while those offering only functionality may falter.

• The narrative of an AI-driven ‘SaaSpocalypse’ is based on the incorrect assumption that AI agents will replace software companies by automating tasks.
• The critical question for AI’s future winners is whether companies own something AI agents cannot operate without, which is proprietary data.
• Salesforce’s recent earnings highlight its strength as a repository of enterprise customer data, positioning it as a structural winner.
• As AI models become commoditized, value migrates to scarce complements like trusted proprietary data, essential for AI agents to function effectively.
• Salesforce’s flywheel effect—agents generating work, work generating data, data deepening its moat—is driving significant growth in its AI and data offerings.
• Top AI companies are investing in and partnering with Salesforce, indicating that AI models depend on CRM systems rather than replacing them.
• The future of the AI economy lies with companies owning scarce data assets, not just those manufacturing intelligence.
  Continue reading https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/29/op-ed-salesforce-revealed-next-battleground-in-ai-its-not-models.html