What is Einstein 1 Platform?

Rather than tacking AI features onto individual products, Salesforce built Einstein 1 Platform as a centralised layer where customer data from across Sales, Service, Marketing, Commerce, and external systems can be unified, modelled, and acted upon with AI, in real time.

Einstein 1 is built by natively integrating Salesforce Data Cloud with Einstein AI, creating a unified solution that delivers a single source of truth for customer data.

This integration allows businesses to access and consolidate data from any source, whether it’s native CRM applications or external systems. Once the data is in Salesforce’s language, it can be seamlessly actioned using AI and automation to craft highly personalised customer experiences.

In today’s fast-paced world, data is exploding in volume, and businesses need AI to keep up with the demand for productivity and personalisation. Yet, many struggle due to fragmented data across multiple platforms. Salesforce addresses this with the Einstein 1 Platform, which unifies data, AI, and CRM within a robust metadata framework. This unification not only enhances data connectivity but also drives business transformation.

It differs from Salesforce Einstein in that Einstein 1 Platform refers to the full AI + data backbone, whereas Salesforce Einstein refers more specifically to the individual AI-powered features embedded in products like Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and custom apps.

Einstein 1 Platform turns data into action. Most businesses have data scattered across multiple systems, such as a CRM, support tickets, marketing platforms, e-commerce systems, and more. Alongside Salesforce Data Cloud, Einstein 1 Platform brings that data together and applies intelligence in a way that’s both:

• Contextual — The AI understands who the customer is and what they’ve done across systems

• Operational — Insights drive actions in workflows, recommendations, and automation

This helps teams:

• Surface insights that truly reflect customer behaviour

• Predict outcomes and prioritise work across teams

• Personalise engagement at scale without manual analysis

• Orchestrate actions across systems using AI-defined triggers

At a high level, Einstein 1 Platform combines:

1. Unified customer data — Aggregated from Salesforce products and external sources

2. AI & machine learning models — Trained on that data to deliver predictions and recommendations

3. Analytics and insight layers — To surface trends, scores, and patterns

4. Actionable workflows — Where insights can trigger next-steps or automation

5. Security & governance — Ensuring insights respect access controls and privacy

Because it sits across the Salesforce ecosystem, Einstein 1 Platform supports both standard product experiences and custom apps built on the Salesforce Platform. That means generative AI, predictive models, and data-driven experiences are available wherever the business needs them, from service consoles to marketing journeys and beyond.

Einstein 1 Platform vs Salesforce Einstein

Einstein 1 Platform is the underlying AI + data infrastructure across Salesforce.

Salesforce Einstein refers to the AI features embedded into individual products like Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Marketing Cloud.

Einstein 1 Platform vs Salesforce Platform

Einstein 1 Platform focuses on data unification and intelligence.

Salesforce Platform refers to the development and extension layer that lets you build custom apps and workflows.

Einstein 1 Platform vs Tableau

Einstein 1 Platform delivers predictive and generative intelligence on unified data.

Tableau is Salesforce’s analytics and visualisation platform geared toward exploration and reporting.

Is Einstein 1 Platform a standalone product?

Einstein 1 Platform isn’t a separate install; it’s the cross-product AI and data layer powering intelligent features across Salesforce. Specific capabilities may depend on your licence.

How is Einstein 1 Platform different from Salesforce Einstein?

Einstein 1 Platform is the AI + data infrastructure layer. Salesforce Einstein is the set of embedded AI features that use that infrastructure.

Does Einstein 1 Platform require AI expertise to use?

Most intelligence features are accessible with point-and-click configuration, though some advanced use cases benefit from admin or developer support.

Can Einstein 1 Platform work with external data?

Yes, when combined with Data Cloud. Unified profiles and data ingestion from external systems help inform insights across the platform.

Does Einstein 1 Platform integrate across Salesforce products?

Yes. It’s designed to deliver consistent intelligence across Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and other connected systems.