Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has reaffirmed his belief that AI will not replace human salespeople, despite the company’s heavy investment in artificial intelligence. In a recent appearance on TBPN, a daily YouTube show covering business and tech, Benioff revealed that Salesforce recently hired between 3,000 and 5,000 new sales representatives. He aims to grow the company’s account executive team to 20,000 this year, excluding systems engineers, managers, and infrastructure staff. Benioff emphasized the irreplaceable value of human connection in sales, stating that AI lacks a soul and cannot replicate face-to-face communication. “Look, we love AI, OK? But AI — it's not the same,” he said. “AI doesn't have a soul. It's not that human connectivity.” This stance is notable given Salesforce’s prominent branding as the “#1 AI CRM” and its $15 billion commitment to workforce development and startup incubation in San Francisco, part of an effort to establish the city as the world’s AI capital. While some fear AI will reduce hiring or eliminate jobs—especially entry-level roles for Gen Z workers—Benioff’s message is clear: AI is a tool to enhance, not replace, human talent. His comments echo those of other tech leaders like Figma CEO Dylan Field, who has also reassured employees that AI is not a threat to their jobs. Benioff also highlighted a broader challenge: the pace of technological innovation is outstripping customers’ ability to adopt new tools. Speaking to CNBC’s Jim Cramer, he noted that “the speed of innovation is far exceeding the speed of customer adoption.” The sentiment was underscored at Salesforce’s Dreamforce conference, which concluded recently. The event brought together top tech executives, including Google’s Sundar Pichai and Starbucks’ Brian Niccol. Benioff pointed to the St. Regis Hotel across from the venue, where he observed customers networking and building relationships in person—proof, he said, that human connection remains central to business. Salesforce currently employs 80,000 people, with about a quarter trained to help clients use its sales platform. The company’s continued hiring spree reflects a growing trend in Silicon Valley: AI is fueling growth, not job cuts.