The speaker is Marc Benioff, the cofounder of Salesforce.com and in my opinion, a brilliant thinker. I conducted this interview 2006 and learned plenty about Internet history in the process. Happy to share it with you. Hang on until near the end when Marc predicts the future of internet technology as he thinks it might occur, from 2006.

Marc Benioff played a significant role in the development of the Internet primarily through his leadership and innovation in the realm of cloud computing and SoftwareasaService (SaaS). While he may not have been directly involved in the initial creation or infrastructure development of the Internet itself, his contributions to how businesses utilize the Internet have been profound.

Marc Benioff cofounded Salesforce, which is widely regarded as one of the first successful cloud computing companies. Salesforce introduced the concept of delivering enterprise software over the Internet, rather than through traditional onpremise installations. This model, known as SoftwareasaService (SaaS), revolutionized the software industry and laid the foundation for the widespread adoption of cloud computing.

Benioff was an early advocate for the Internet as a platform for delivering business solutions. He recognized the potential of the Internet to democratize access to technology and empower businesses of all sizes. Salesforce's cloudbased CRM platform enabled companies to leverage the Internet to manage customer relationships, streamline sales processes, and improve collaboration.

Through Salesforce, Benioff contributed to the advancement of Internet technologies and standards. The company developed innovative solutions for cloudbased storage, data management, and application development, driving the evolution of the Internet ecosystem.

Salesforce's platform emphasized collaboration and connectivity, enabling businesses to connect with customers, partners, and employees in new ways. This focus on leveraging the Internet for communication and collaboration helped drive broader adoption of Internetbased solutions across industries.

Marc Russell Benioff was born on September 25, 1964 in San Francisco, California. He grew up in the city and attended high school at Burlingame High School. From a young age, Benioff showed an interest in technology and entrepreneurship.

Benioff studied at the University of Southern California (USC), where he initially pursued a degree in business administration. During his time at USC, he developed software and sold his first program, How to Juggle, to Macintosh Magazine at the age of 15.

After leaving USC, Benioff worked for various technology companies, including Apple, where he was mentored by Steve Jobs, the cofounder and former CEO of Apple. Jobs had a significant influence on Benioff's approach to business and innovation.

In 1999, Marc Benioff cofounded Salesforce. The company pioneered the concept of delivering enterprise software via the internet, rather than through traditional onpremise installations, a model now commonly known as SoftwareasaService (SaaS).

Under Benioff's leadership, Salesforce grew rapidly, becoming one of the world's leading providers of cloudbased CRM software. The company's platform enables businesses to manage customer relationships, streamline sales processes, and improve marketing campaigns.

Benioff's leadership has been instrumental in Salesforce's success and growth. He is known for his visionary approach to business, commitment to innovation, and focus on philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. Benioff's leadership at Salesforce has helped popularize cloud computing and SoftwareasaService (SaaS) models, revolutionizing the software industry and changing how businesses access and use technology.

Benioff is a prominent philanthropist and advocate for social causes. He has donated millions of dollars to various charitable organizations and initiatives, focusing on areas such as education, healthcare, and environmental conservation. Benioff and his wife, Lynne, established the Benioff Ocean Initiative, which aims to protect and conserve the world's oceans.

Marc Benioff has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the technology industry and philanthropy. These include being named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People" and Fortune magazine's "World's 50 Greatest Leaders."