AI is rapidly transforming workplaces, and nowhere is this more evident than at Salesforce. The tech giant is investing heavily in AI agents, AI that can operate autonomously without human prompts to redefine business operations.
As AI agents become an integral part of enterprise software, companies are faced with a pressing challenge: equipping their employees with the skills necessary to thrive in this evolving landscape.
AI and Workforce Transformation
Lori Castillo Martinez, Salesforce’s EVP of talent growth and development, understands the urgency of AI-driven workplace transformation. With over 72,000 employees, the company has embarked on a massive reskilling initiative to prepare its workforce for AI integration.
According to Castillo Martinez, AI-powered digital labor is reshaping job functions, making upskilling and reskilling more critical than ever. To stay ahead, Salesforce has established a workforce innovation team to analyze job evolution and ensure employees are equipped with relevant skills.
By leveraging its own AI technology and external research, the company has identified the top ten skills employees need to succeed with AI agents. These skills fall into three categories:
- Human Skills: Adaptability, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and accountability, critical for navigating an AI-enhanced workplace.
- Agent Skills: AI literacy and human-AI collaboration, ensuring employees understand AI fundamentals and how to work effectively alongside AI agents.
- Business Skills: AI-driven problem-solving, data interpretation, creative thinking, and storytelling—essential for integrating AI into daily tasks.
A Multifaceted Learning Approach
To facilitate this transition, Salesforce is implementing diverse training methods. By 2025, the company aims to ensure that at least 80% of employees have fundamental AI skills.
Recognizing that employees may feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of change, Salesforce is fostering a culture of continuous learning.
One of the key tools in this effort is Career Connect, an internal AI-powered talent marketplace that serves as a career coach. It offers personalized learning recommendations based on employees’ skills and career goals, integrating seamlessly with Salesforce’s Trailhead learning platform.
In addition, Salesforce is prioritizing hands-on learning experiences. Quarterly learning days provide opportunities for employees to engage with AI through interactive learning stations, expert-led lectures, and role-specific training sessions.
Beyond internal resources, Salesforce also encourages employees to take advantage of external education programs, such as tuition reimbursement and industry certifications.
The Future of AI in the Workplace
Salesforce’s AI adoption strategy underscores a key takeaway: integrating AI into the workforce is an ongoing process, not a one-time initiative. Castillo Martinez acknowledges that teams are still discovering the best ways to leverage AI agents and that continuous adaptation is necessary.
“The biggest learning is truly that we are still learning,” she explains. “But the urgency itself is around reskilling and making sure every company has a talent strategy.”
For HR leaders, the Salesforce example serves as a wake-up call. AI-driven transformation is no longer a distant future, it’s happening now. Organizations that fail to prioritize AI education and workforce development risk falling behind.
As Castillo Martinez puts it, every HR professional should be thinking about how to operationalize AI in their talent strategy.
In an era where AI is becoming the backbone of business operations, investing in workforce development is not just beneficial, it’s essential for long-term success.
Salesforce’s proactive approach highlights the importance of reskilling employees, embracing AI collaboration, and ensuring that the workforce remains competitive in an AI-powered world.
