Salesforce CEO Benioff: Up to 50% of Work Now AI-Driven

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff recently claimed that AI is now performing 30% to 50% of the company’s work in key functions like engineering, coding, support, and service. This significant shift towards automation raises several critical questions, particularly about the future of Salesforce’s workforce and the broader implications for the tech industry. Benioff made these remarks during an interview with Bloomberg’s Emily Chang in early 2025. His statement has sparked skepticism, given his reputation for making bold and sometimes exaggerated claims. Some speculate that Benioff’s assertion might be an attempt to boost investor confidence, as Salesforce’s stock price has dropped by over 18% in 2025. However, if we take his statement at face value, the integration of AI into critical operations suggests a major transformation. Salesforce employs a substantial workforce of around 76,453 people as of January 2025. The company has already taken steps to restructure its workforce, including laying off approximately 1,000 employees in February and planning to hire another 1,000 to focus on selling its AI technologies. This strategic move indicates that Salesforce is not only embracing AI but also leveraging it to stay competitive in the market. If AI is indeed handling half of Salesforce's workload, the company faces a significant challenge: How will it address the potential redundancy in its human workforce? Benioff’s assertion that employees can move on to higher-value work is a common narrative in discussions about AI and job displacement. However, this transition is often easier said than done. The idea is that AI can handle repetitive and low-skilled tasks, freeing up humans to tackle more complex and creative assignments. Whether this shift will materialize seamlessly remains to be seen. The implications extend beyond Salesforce to its customer base. If Salesforce’s AI tools can automate internal processes, it’s reasonable to assume that its customers will also leverage AI to reduce their own workloads. This raises concerns about whether there will be a decreased demand for Salesforce’s products as customers rely more on AI. For instance, if a sales team can use AI to manage customer relationships, they might require fewer licenses or subscriptions to Salesforce’s customer relationship management (CRM) tools. This trend of AI-driven workforce restructuring is not unique to Salesforce. Other major tech companies are signaling similar intentions. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, in a letter to employees, highlighted the company’s commitment to integrating generative AI across its workflows and acknowledged that AI will likely lead to fewer people doing certain jobs. Microsoft is also undergoing a second round of layoffs, having already cut 6,000 positions in May and redirecting funds into AI investments. Google and Bumble have similarly been trimming their staff in various departments, often attributing the cuts to AI adoption. According to Layoffs.fyi, the tech industry has already witnessed more than 63,000 layoffs in 2025. While companies often position these changes as improvements in efficiency, the reality is often more nuanced. Brian Merchant, author of "Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech," interviewed tech workers who described how AI is reshaping their job roles and leading to layoffs. At CrowdStrike, for example, a recent wave of layoffs was partly attributed to the company’s increased reliance on AI, with an employee noting, “AI has literally killed many jobs at CrowdStrike this week.” Similarly, Dropbox replaced a team focused on service reliability with a new AI-powered tool, suggesting a trend where AI is used to justify workforce reductions. Despite the potential downsides, Benioff and other tech leaders maintain that AI will ultimately enhance human capabilities rather than entirely replace them. They argue that AI can handle mundane tasks, enabling human workers to engage in more strategic and innovative activities. However, the practicalities of this vision are complex. For one, the skill set required for higher-value work may not align with the current capabilities of many displaced employees. For another, the rapid pace of AI development means that roles are changing faster than employees can adapt. Industry insiders are divided on Benioff’s claim and the overall impact of AI on employment. Some view it as a necessary step towards greater efficiency and innovation, while others warn of the social and economic consequences of widespread job displacement. Salesforce, known for its comprehensive CRM solutions, has a history of adapting to technological changes and maintaining a strong market position. If the company can successfully navigate the transition to an AI-centric model, it might serve as a blueprint for other firms. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that the benefits of AI are distributed equitably and that affected employees receive the necessary support to transition into new roles. In summary, Salesforce’s bold claim of AI performing 30% to 50% of its work highlights a growing trend in the tech industry. As companies increasingly adopt AI, they must grapple with the practical and ethical implications of workforce reduction and job displacement. Benioff’s vision of AI augmenting human capabilities is optimistic, but the reality of the transitions required may prove to be more challenging. The successful integration of AI into business operations will depend on careful planning, robust training programs, and a commitment to supporting affected employees.