Salesforce, the US software firm, has revealed a $4bn (£3.2bn) investment in the UK.

The company, which specialises in customer relationship management tools, said strong demand was behind its decision.

The investment will be spread over five years and follows a $2.2bn sum spent since 2018.

“Salesforce is experiencing rapid growth in the UK as companies invest in their digital transformations and leverage the incredible innovation cycle around artificial intelligence (AI)”, its statement said.

It will be seen as a boost to the country’s tech industry just weeks after Microsoft’s president criticised a regulatory decision to block its takeover of Activision Blizzard, saying it had “shaken confidence” in Britain.

The company is appealing the Competition and Markets Authority’s decision.

PM Rishi Sunak said: “Salesforce’s major investment in its UK business over the next five years is a ringing endorsement of our economy.

“It will strengthen the company’s UK presence, increasing capacity, as well as creating vital jobs, reinforcing our position as one of their largest markets outside of the US.”

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During a visit to Washington earlier this month, he set out plans to host a global summit on AI safety later this year as governments around the world scramble to draw up rules on the use of the revolutionary technology.

Zahra Bahrololoumi, who leads Salesforce in the UK and Ireland said: “A clear pro-innovation regulatory framework that compels safe and responsible use of AI is vital, and Salesforce is fully focused on bringing secure, trusted, enterprise ready generative AI to UK businesses.”

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