Latest news with #MarcBenioff
Axios
16 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
Marc Benioff: AI and humans both have a role
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, like many tech executives, is pushing the idea that humans and AI bots will soon work side by side, despite current turbulence. Why it matters: Tech leaders are hedging their bets on AI: promising an eventual utopia in which everyone is productive and fulfilled, while at the same time reducing hiring, cutting jobs and voicing a range of near-term concerns. The big picture: For most companies, the workforce transition is bumpy. Over half of executives say that AI is "tearing their company apart," according to a study from March. Benioff said that the main problem isn't the technology, it's that companies and workers aren't set up for the current pace of technological shift. "Change management is extremely difficult for all these customers, because the level of transformation that is happening is unlike anything we've ever seen," Benioff said during a telephone interview last week. At an Axios event at January's World Economic Forum in Davos, Benioff predicted that the next generation of CEOs will have to manage a workforce that is a mix of humans and AI agents. Between the lines: Benioff sees the glass as more than half full, recently outlining an optimistic vision of our shared AI future in an op-ed in the Financial Times. Being human is our "superpower," Benioff wrote. "AI has no childhood, no heart. It does not love, does not feel loss, does not suffer. And because of that, it is incapable of expressing true compassion or understanding human connection." Zoom in: Benioff says Salesforce's own experience can be instructive, pointing to shifts in the way the company handles both customer support and sales. On the sales front, Benioff said the company plans to add thousands of sales staff even as it relies more on AI. All told, Benioff says the move will increase the company's sales capacity by 19%. "For the last 26 years, the vast majority of the leads that we've received... we've not been able to call back," Benioff said. Benioff says an AI agent called 4,000 potential new customers in one recent week. The picture in support is more mixed. Benioff said the company has cut its costs by 17% by mixing in AI support agents. Since the October 2024 introduction of Agentforce, Salesforce says help requests have been evenly split between humans and AI agents, each of which have handled roughly 1.2 million conversations. "We've radically augmented our support personnel," Benioff said. "This is a great example of it really working." Yes, but: Hiring for support workers has stagnated. "There's no question that we're getting more productivity, which means that we're not growing our customer support this year," Benioff said. "We're also not radically reducing it." Zoom out: Benioff isn't the only tech leader painting a rosy future while acknowledging it's likely to be a bumpy and uncertain path to get there. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told employees last week that the company is nonetheless well-positioned and growing thanks to AI, despite laying off a further 9,000 workers on top of earlier cuts. "Progress isn't linear. It's dynamic, sometimes dissonant, and always demanding," Nadella wrote in a memo. Amazon has also been touting its AI prowess at the same time the company has said it expects to have a smaller corporate staff over time. The bottom line: For Benioff, the future is growth. As long as companies can survive the growing pains.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Dow Jones Stocks Walking a Fine Line
The Dow Jones (^DJI) is made up of 30 of the most established and influential companies in the market. But even blue-chip stocks can struggle - some are dealing with slowing growth, outdated business models, or increasing competition. Finding the best companies in the Dow Jones isn't always straightforward, and that's why we started StockStory. Keeping that in mind, here are three Dow Jones stocks that don't make the cut and some better choices instead. Salesforce (CRM) Market Cap: $257.3 billion Launched in 1999 from a rented one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco by Marc Benioff and his three co-founders, Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) is a software-as-a-service platform that helps companies access, manage, and share sales information such as leads. Why Is CRM Not Exciting? Annual sales growth of 11.4% over the last three years lagged behind its software peers as its large revenue base made it difficult to generate incremental demand Customers were hesitant to make long-term commitments to its platform as its 8.7% average ARR growth over the last year was sluggish Estimated sales growth of 9.1% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its three-year trend Salesforce's stock price of $269.49 implies a valuation ratio of 6.2x forward price-to-sales. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why CRM doesn't pass our bar. Honeywell (HON) Market Cap: $142.4 billion Originally founded in 1906 as a thermostat company, Honeywell (NASDAQ:HON) is a multinational conglomerate known for its aerospace systems, building technologies, performance materials, and safety and productivity solutions. Why Does HON Worry Us? Organic revenue growth fell short of our benchmarks over the past two years and implies it may need to improve its products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy Demand will likely be soft over the next 12 months as Wall Street's estimates imply tepid growth of 4.8% Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 2.6 percentage points Honeywell is trading at $224.21 per share, or 20.9x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with HON, check out our full research report (it's free). Sherwin-Williams (SHW) Market Cap: $84.56 billion Widely known for its success in the paint industry, Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW) is a manufacturer of paints, coatings, and related products. Why Do We Think Twice About SHW? Organic revenue growth fell short of our benchmarks over the past two years and implies it may need to improve its products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy Estimated sales growth of 2.5% for the next 12 months is soft and implies weaker demand Free cash flow margin shrank by 7.6 percentage points over the last five years, suggesting the company is consuming more capital to stay competitive At $340.10 per share, Sherwin-Williams trades at 27x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than SHW. Stocks We Like More Donald Trump's April 2025 "Liberation Day" tariffs sent markets into a tailspin, but stocks have since rebounded strongly, proving that knee-jerk reactions often create the best buying opportunities. The smart money is already positioning for the next leg up. Don't miss out on the recovery - check out our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe
Corner Office Conversation is The Economic Times' flagship interview podcast featuring unfiltered, one-on-one conversations with some of India and the world's most powerful business leaders. Hosted by ET's top journalists and editors, this fortnightly show goes beyond headlines and press releases to explore how CEOs and founders think, decide, and lead in an era of disruption. From Marc Benioff (Salesforce), Dara Khosrowshahi (Uber), and Roland Busch (Siemens) to Adar Poonawalla (Serum Institute ...Read More ), Suresh Narayanan (Nestlé India), and Ravi Kumar S (Cognizant), these conversations uncover personal leadership playbooks, global strategy pivots, lessons from failures, and bold visions for the future — across industries like tech, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and consumer goods. New episodes drop alternate Monday. ...Read Less
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Are Agentic AI Systems Quietly Taking Over Enterprises? 3 Ways To Keep Humans In The Loop
Are Agentic AI Systems Quietly Taking Over Enterprises? Imagine a future where AI agents run the majority of your company's daily operations by handling complex tasks, managing workflows, and resolving customer issues around the clock, all while reporting to another AI agent manager who then reports to you. Picture reaching out to McKinsey and instead of a human consultant, being connected with a customized AI agent that provides expert insights instantly. That future is nearly here. Agentic AI is rapidly reshaping how enterprises operate. At Salesforce, these AI agents now manage 30 to 50 percent of internal workflows, and more than 85 percent of customer service inquiries are resolved by AI, dramatically easing the burden on human staff. CEO Marc Benioff, known for his bold branding, has even called himself the 'Taylor Swift of Tech,' comparing Salesforce's AI transformation to the sweeping impact of Swift's multi-era world tours. Salesforce isn't alone. McKinsey & Company has introduced its own "Lilli" agents, AI tools capable of conducting deep research, generating data-driven insights, and producing presentation-ready charts and slides. As these systems evolve, they are poised to take over tasks traditionally assigned to junior consultants, potentially reshaping the firm's hiring needs and operational structure. The broader implication? We are moving toward a future where firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or Deloitte might offer AI agents as the first point of contact—consultants that never sleep, scale instantly, and continually improve. The rise of enterprise AI agents is no longer speculative; it's unfolding now, and fast. But how far will it go? Could AI agents eventually displace 80-90% of today's workforce within these firms? Will humans have a meaningful role in workflows as automation scales? These are not just hypothetical questions—they are strategic imperatives. As agentic AI begins to power everything from back-office functions to client-facing operations, the challenge is clear: how do we keep humans meaningfully in the loop? Here are three strategies to ensure that, even in an era of hyper-automation, the human touch remains essential to enterprise success. 1. Design Human-In-The-Loop (HITL) Agentic Ai Systems with Unique Human Roles As Agentic AI systems increasingly take on core operational functions, it is imperative for enterprises to reimagine organizational roles and workflows to ensure continued and meaningful human involvement. Rather than assigning humans to tasks that AI can readily perform, the focus should shift toward areas where human expertise remains indispensable, such as strategic decision-making, ethical governance, nuanced client engagement, and cross-functional leadership. To enable this transition, organizations must design and implement robust human-in-the-loop (HITL) frameworks. These systems embed human oversight into AI-driven processes, particularly in high-impact areas like talent acquisition, financial decision-making, legal analysis, and healthcare. For instance, in a consulting environment, an AI agent might generate an initial draft of a client strategy or market report. However, it is the responsibility of the consultant to interpret the findings, tailor the insights to the client's specific context, and ensure overall quality and relevance. Supporting these evolving workflows are a new wave of hybrid roles such as AI strategy leads, human-AI collaboration specialists, and HITL analysts. These roles serve as essential interfaces between AI systems and business outcomes, safeguarding against errors while optimizing the value AI delivers. By embedding human judgment, accountability, and strategic alignment into AI-enabled operations, organizations can unlock the full promise of Agentic AI while maintaining human agency at the core of enterprise decision-making. 2. Build an AI-Ready Workforce for Human-AI Collaboration As Agentic AI becomes increasingly integrated into enterprise operations, it is essential to invest in up skilling the workforce in both AI literacy and systems thinking. Employees need a clear understanding of how AI systems function, where they create value, and what their limitations are. This knowledge allows them to interpret AI outputs thoughtfully, identify potential risks or biases, and collaborate with these systems effectively. When AI is approached as a collaborative partner rather than a mysterious or autonomous tool, organizations can foster greater adoption, trust, and alignment with business goals. For example, in financial services, portfolio managers who are trained in AI concepts can use algorithmic tools to enhance investment strategies while still applying their own market expertise for final decisions. In marketing, teams can combine AI-powered customer segmentation with human creativity to develop more tailored and impactful campaigns. By cultivating these skills across functions, companies create a workforce that is not only technically capable but also strategically positioned to guide and govern the responsible use of AI throughout the organization. 3. Establish AI Governance and Escalation Frameworks to Ensure Accountability As AI systems are increasingly deployed in critical business functions, it is essential to establish strong governance and escalation frameworks to maintain oversight and accountability. These protocols ensure that when AI-generated recommendations conflict with legal standards, ethical principles, or stakeholder expectations, human experts can intervene. For example, in financial services, if an AI system produces a credit decision that appears biased, compliance officers should have the authority to pause and review the process before action is taken. To support this oversight, organizations should form dedicated structures such as AI ethics boards or enterprise-level agent councils. These groups evaluate high-impact use cases, assess risk, and define clear escalation paths for teams interacting with AI systems. By embedding governance into the AI lifecycle, enterprises can scale intelligent automation responsibly while preserving human judgment and organizational integrity. Leading Through the Age of AI Agents Agentic AI is no longer a vision of the future; it is an active force reshaping the enterprise landscape. As organizations embrace these powerful systems, the challenge is not simply technological but deeply human. Success will depend on how well companies design for collaboration between intelligent agents and the people who guide them. By embedding thoughtful human oversight, investing in AI literacy, and governing automation with intention, enterprises can unlock the full potential of agentic AI while ensuring that people remain at the heart of innovation and decision-making.
NDTV
16-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
AI Does 50% Work At Salesforce, But Mass Layoffs Not On Cards Yet: CEO Marc Benioff
Artificial Intelligence (AI) performs a lot of work at Salesforce, but the company has no mass lay-off plans yet, CEO Marc Benioff has said. On The Circuit With Emily Chang podcast for Bloomberg, he spoke at length about the transformative power of AI, but added it can either replace humans or enhance them, and he believes in the latter. AI will support and improve human work, instead of taking it away or replacing people completely, he added. With the advancement of AI in the tech industry, Mr Benioff said that some jobs will disappear but new ones will also be created. He explained that Salesforce has already undergone major changes, such as thousands of employees in his company being given new roles and there being a pause on hiring engineering jobs for now. According to Fortune, in the first quarter, the San Francisco-based software company has redeployed more than 50 percent of the people already working with them, he said. His company has created an AI tool that can do tasks like customer service without human supervision with 93 percent accuracy, Mr Benioff said. Humans have led to the formation of some of the greatest innovations and also created several businesses that seek to solve real-world problems, he said. They possess a "superpower" that AI lacks, which is the capacity to show empathy or establish genuine connections with others, Mr Benioff added, reported Fortune. "All of us have to get our heads around this idea that AI can do things that we were doing, he added, stating, "We can move on to do higher-value work." Apple iPod founder Tony Fadell also stressed the importance of being hands-on with the tools, instead of just learning about them in theory. He said that companies nowadays are not hiring freshers like they used to but are looking for those who already have experience. He said that junior-level jobs, like entry-level or fresher jobs, in all industries are at high risk as businesses are no longer willing to spend time training freshers or interns. Last month, Mr Benioff said that AI does up to 50 percent of all work at Salesforce, including critical tasks like customer service, development, and engineering. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated in May that 20 percent to 30 percent of the company's code was generated by Artificial Intelligence. In April, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said more than 30 percent of his company's coding work was done by Artificial Intelligence. In May, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that within the next 12 to 18 months, AI will soon be doing most of the coding work for his company's Llama Project. Currently, AI can help in auto-completing a section of code and soon will become even better than the top coders, he added.
