Salesforce has reaffirmed its commitment to hiring entry-level employees even as artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly automates various roles. At the recent Dreamforce 2025 event, UK & Ireland Chief Executive Zahra Bahrololoumi addressed concerns surrounding the impact of AI on junior positions, asserting that the company sees value in maintaining these roles.
Bahrololoumi emphasized the importance of entry-level jobs, stating, “Our message here is: do not sacrifice your entry-level jobs because you do need people that can work through that function.” She highlighted the necessity for workers who can effectively collaborate with AI systems, ensuring a harmonious blend of human and digital capabilities.
In collaboration with academic institutions like Brunel University, Salesforce is actively addressing skill gaps in the workforce. The company is part of a UK government initiative aimed at training 7.5 million workers in AI skills by 2030. Bahrololoumi warned that eliminating entry-level positions could hinder companies’ ability to manage the evolving relationship between human and AI resources.
Despite these commitments, Salesforce is also navigating a landscape of job reductions in other areas of the organization. Chief Executive Officer Marc Benioff has highlighted the company’s shift towards greater AI adoption through tools like Agentforce, which he claims will allow for significant operational cost reductions. In September 2023, he announced that Salesforce had cut customer support roles by approximately 50% due to the efficiency achieved with AI.
AI’s Role in Supporting Smaller Firms
Both Bahrololoumi and Chief Technology Officer Paul O’Sullivan pointed out that AI could offer substantial benefits to smaller firms unable to scale their workforce effectively. Salesforce has reportedly seen a surge in interest from what it defines as its “commercial business” sector, particularly among clients with revenues of $2 million or less. Growth within this segment reached about 35% in Q1 2025, with expectations for continued double-digit growth in subsequent quarters.
Bahrololoumi noted that smaller businesses are leveraging technology to fuel growth without a proportional increase in headcount. “A commercial business or a mid-market business will not have the resources readily available to scale humans,” she explained, highlighting the potential of AI to facilitate growth in these environments.
While AI is reshaping hiring practices at Salesforce, Bahrololoumi confirmed that it has not led to a decrease in overall hiring targets. Instead, the focus has shifted towards candidates with specific qualifications, such as certified engineers with practical experience in generative AI. This change reflects a broader shift in the industry, where many companies are now prioritizing hands-on skills in potential hires.
Investing in Future Talent and Skills Development
In a separate panel discussion at Dreamforce, Nathalie Scardino, President and Chief People Officer at Salesforce, highlighted the increasing prevalence of digital and AI skills among recent graduates. “We’re hiring a lot of AI natives,” she stated, adding that Salesforce employs a practice known as “reverse mentorship.” This initiative pairs new graduates with experienced professionals to facilitate the exchange of AI knowledge across the organization.
Scardino also revealed that Salesforce onboarded around 1,000 interns during the summer, further investing in the development of future talent. The company is dedicated to equipping its existing engineers with AI competencies, with O’Sullivan noting a shift in focus over the past year to ensure that current staff remain relevant and up-to-date with the latest technological advancements.
As Salesforce navigates the complexities of AI integration and workforce management, the emphasis on entry-level roles and skills development demonstrates a balanced approach to leveraging technology while fostering human capital. The company’s dual commitment to innovation and employment may serve as a model for others in the tech industry facing similar challenges.