Adecco, Salesforce JV Seen Helping Reduce AI Bubble Risks

Swiss staffing giant Adecco has said that its joint venture with Salesforce, a major US enterprise software company, could play a role in reducing the risk of an AI bubble by helping businesses focus on practical, outcome-driven uses of artificial intelligence rather than hype. 

The venture, called r.Potential, was developed to guide large corporations on how to integrate AI into core business processes and drive real value from the technology. Adecco’s Chief Executive Denis Machuel noted that while there is an “enormous supply” of AI tools and platforms, many companies are still struggling to embed them in ways that deliver measurable outcomes.

Machuel highlighted that the disconnect between broad AI enthusiasm and real-world application creates a risk of inflated valuations and speculative investment that could resemble a bubble. By pushing companies to adopt AI in meaningful, measurable ways, he said, the r.Potential platform can help bridge that gap and encourage sustainable adoption. 

The platform has already sparked interest from about 300 large clients, Adecco said, reflecting strong demand from enterprises seeking structured guidance on AI deployment. Machuel also acknowledged challenges such as AI “hallucinations”, where models produce incorrect or fabricated information, though he suggested that further training of AI could help reduce such risks.

Adecco’s comments come amid wider market debate about whether the rapid inflow of investment into AI — across startups, data infrastructure, and software platforms — may be outpacing the technology’s real economic impact. Some investors and analysts have expressed concern that inflated expectations could create instability unless AI tools start generating concrete outcomes and measured returns. 

As AI continues to drive corporate strategy and reshape business models, ventures like r.Potential reflect a growing focus on practical adoption over speculative hype, potentially helping to temper excesses and foster more sustainable AI growth.