At the 2025 AI for Good Global Summit, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff offered unconventional views on the impact of artificial intelligence on the job market, countering fears of mass layoffs.
Marc Benioff's Views on AI's Impact
During an interview with journalist Nicholas Thompson, Benioff stated that he does not see the development of AI as a disaster for white-collar workers. He argues that AI will serve as an assistant rather than a competitor, providing a "radical augmentation of the workforce."
Changes at Salesforce
Despite his claims about job preservation, Salesforce has paused hiring in certain areas such as law and customer service. This is due to the company's focus on implementing AI technologies that are already automating 30-50% of tasks in areas like engineering and customer support. More than half of the new hires in the last quarter have been internal transfers, with staff being reskilled to work with AI.
Concerns and Disagreements in the AI Sector
Not everyone shares Benioff's optimism. Some experts, including Bill Gates, caution that AI may replace most human tasks. Analysts also raise questions about whether it is appropriate to call AI agents workers, arguing this might be misleading. An Axios article highlighted that "AI agents are merely a way to automate tasks using digital technology."
Thus, Marc Benioff's viewpoint on the future of AI is optimistic, emphasizing its role as an enhancement, but there is substantial criticism and concern regarding the future of white-collar workers in the job market.
