For Salesforce CEO, AI reshapes workforce as agentic systems gain serious traction

The rise of AI-powered digital labor is dramatically expanding the definition of workforce capabilities, creating a market that could reach trillions of dollars according to Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. This shift represents a fundamental transformation in how businesses conceptualize labor, as AI agents increasingly demonstrate proficiency in tasks previously considered exclusive to human workers. The emergence of this digital workforce suggests we’re entering an era where human and artificial labor will increasingly coexist and collaborate.

The big picture: The maturation of AI technologies is creating an entirely new category of “digital labor” that can perform complex tasks once thought to require human intelligence and judgment.

• The expanding capabilities of AI agents are blurring traditional boundaries between human-exclusive work and what can be automated.
• This digital workforce expansion is occurring at a scale significant enough for Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff to project a potential trillion-dollar market.

Why this matters: This shift fundamentally changes how organizations can approach talent acquisition, workforce planning, and task allocation across industries.

• Companies now have options beyond traditional hiring to scale operations and address skill shortages.
• The economics of business operations could transform as digital labor potentially offers alternatives to outsourcing, contractor relationships, and traditional employment models.

Market implications: According to Benioff, the total addressable market for digital labor could soon reach trillions of dollars, signaling massive economic potential.

• This projection suggests investors and business leaders view AI-powered labor as a transformative force comparable to other major technological shifts.
• The scale of this potential market indicates digital labor could become a core component of enterprise resource planning rather than just an experimental technology.

Looking ahead: Organizations will likely need to develop new frameworks for effectively integrating and managing workforces that combine human and AI capabilities.

• Leadership skills may evolve to include orchestrating collaboration between human employees and digital agents.
• Questions around governance, responsibility, and quality assurance for AI-performed work will become increasingly important as adoption accelerates.