Salesforce CEO Escalates AI Rivalry with Scathing Critique of Microsoft Copilot

In a strategic escalation of competitive tensions within the enterprise AI sector, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has launched a pointed critique of Microsoft's Copilot, branding the platform 'Clippy 2.0' and characterizing its performance as both disappointing and inaccurate. This public denunciation serves as a calculated maneuver to position Salesforce's proprietary AI solutions—specifically its Slackbot, powered by Anthropic's Claude—as a superior alternative for CRM integration. The commentary underscores a deliberate pivot in Salesforce's market positioning, contrasting sharply with Benioff's previous commendations of Google's Gemini 3.0. This shift signals a focused corporate strategy to advance its own AI agent ecosystem while directly challenging established competitors. The remarks reflect broader industry dynamics where executive rhetoric is increasingly weaponized to shape market perception and drive technological adoption. Analysts interpret this as part of a concerted effort to differentiate Salesforce's AI offerings in a crowded and rapidly evolving landscape, emphasizing reliability and precision as key competitive advantages.