Salesforce CEO Benioff Sees AI Augmenting 50% of White-Collar Jobs

At the 2025 AI for Good Global Summit, Marc Benioff, the CEO of Salesforce, shared his optimistic views on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on white-collar jobs. Contrary to the doomsday predictions made by some tech leaders, Benioff believes that AI will not lead to mass layoffs but will instead augment the workforce, making employees more efficient and effective in their roles.

During a live interview with a journalist, Benioff emphasized that AI is not a competitor but a co-pilot that can enhance various roles, including technical, creative, legal, and business positions. He highlighted that Salesforce has been quietly moving employees around, with more than half of the company’s hires in the last quarter being internal transfers. Thousands of employees have been reskilled and redeployed to new roles in AI operations, product integration, and customer success.

Behind the scenes, Salesforce’s own AI initiative, known as Agentforce, is already automating between 30% and 50% of tasks across engineering, marketing, analytics, and support functions. Digital agents now handle many routine internal queries and client-facing support tasks, freeing up human staff for more complex assignments. This internal restructuring underscores Benioff's belief that AI can create new opportunities and roles within an organization, rather than simply replacing existing ones.

While Salesforce is pausing hires in some areas, it’s ramping up in others, particularly in sales talent. Benioff believes that small and mid-sized businesses are about to have a moment, as their capabilities are radically amplified by AI. This perspective aligns with the broader narrative that AI can augment human capabilities, making workers more efficient and effective in their roles.

However, not everyone shares Benioff’s confidence. Even Bill Gates, known for his tempered views on technology, recently said AI will replace most tasks humans do today, though he believes coding will remain a “100% human profession” for centuries to come. Analysts caution that terms like “AI worker” or “digital employee” can be misleading, as an AI agent is a way to automate white-collar work using digital technology, not a worker in the traditional sense.

Benioff's comments come at a time when many companies are grappling with the potential for AI to automate tasks traditionally performed by humans. However, his view is that AI will not lead to mass job losses but will instead reshape how work is done. This shift in focus can lead to increased job satisfaction and productivity, as employees are freed from repetitive tasks and can concentrate on higher-value activities.

In conclusion, Marc Benioff's stance on AI and white-collar jobs provides a balanced perspective on the future of work. While AI is undoubtedly transforming the workplace, it is not a harbinger of mass unemployment. Instead, it offers an opportunity for companies to enhance their workforce and create new roles that leverage human creativity and expertise. Benioff's approach at Salesforce serves as a model for how companies can navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.