Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff: May be they have different AI, the AI I have will not lead to mass layoffs, but ...
has empahised that the AI he envisions will not lead to mass layoffs. Contrary to the common narrative that artificial intelligence will lead to widespread job displacements, Benioff feels that AI will be used to augment rather than replace the workforce. While industry leaders and analysts have warned about significant layoffs due to automation, the Salesforce CEO has a more optimistic outlook, hinting at a different kind of AI integration.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff on why AI will not lead to mass layoffs
Speaking at the 2025 AI for Good Global Summit, Benioff said that AI is dramatically reshaping Salesforce and that is why he feels that AI will not wipe-out white collar jobs. Benioff quipped, 'Maybe they have AI I don't have,' in response to predictions from other tech leaders that AI could eliminate up to 50% of entry-level office jobs. 'In the AI I have, it's not going to be some huge mass layoff of white-collar workers,' he said. 'It is a radical augmentation of the workforce.'
Benioff's comments comes at a time when the tech industry is witnessing AI-driven restructuring. Company's like Anthropic and Nvidia have already warned about mass layoffs due to AI. However, Benioff insists that the Salesforce customers are not laying off staff due to AI. Instead, he feels that AI works a a co-pilot which boosts productivity and unlock new opportunities.
'When I speak with our customers, they're not saying, 'I'm laying off employees because of AI advancements in A, B, or C technologies.' That fear—we need to let it go.' said Benioff.
Benioff also revealed that he paused the hiring of engineers, lawyers and customer service agents for Salesforce for almost and year to allow
AI productivity gains
to take hold. However, the company is ramping up sales-related hiring to meet surging demand for AI deployment.
Marc Benioff wrapped up his point by saying, 'Given the remarkable productivity gains AI is bringing to engineering this year, let's take the time to integrate those advances—so we're not racing to hire another thousand, two thousand, or even three thousand engineers.'
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