Salesforce CEO Bets on Human Touch, Expands Workforce Amid AI Boom

As of October 18th, 2025, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has made it clear that the core of sales remains decidedly human, despite the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across the tech industry. Speaking at the recent Dreamforce conference, Benioff highlighted how personal connections and in-person interactions are irreplaceable in the sales process.

Benioff described a scene at the St. Regis Hotel bar, where customers were engaging with each other rather than relying on digital tools, emphasizing the value of genuine human interaction. This message is intended to reassure both customers and employees about the future of work in an AI-driven world.

To reinforce his commitment to the human touch in sales, Benioff revealed that Salesforce is actively expanding its workforce. The company plans to grow its sales force to 20,000 account executives this year, not including systems engineers, managers, and infrastructure teams. This underscores Salesforce's continued investment in human capital, even as automation and digital tools become more prevalent across industries.

While Benioff is optimistic about AI's potential, he acknowledges a challenge: the acceleration of technological change may outpace customer readiness. This gap presents practical challenges for companies rolling out new technology, as customer support and education remain essential for successful adoption.