Salesforce has reaffirmed its commitment to hiring entry-level employees, emphasizing the importance of junior roles even as artificial intelligence (AI) automates various functions. During a press briefing at Dreamforce 2025, Zahra Bahrololoumi, Chief Executive Officer for UK & Ireland, addressed concerns surrounding AI potentially replacing these positions. She described the fears as a widespread “orthodoxy” and urged companies to reconsider eliminating junior roles, stating, “Our message here is: do not sacrifice your entry-level jobs.”
Bahrololoumi highlighted the necessity of having individuals who can effectively manage the integration of digital and human resources. According to her, these roles are essential for navigating the complexities brought on by increasing AI capabilities.
In alignment with this strategy, Salesforce has partnered with UK academic institutions, including Brunel University, to address skills shortages in the workforce. The company is also 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 the development of a workforce capable of orchestrating a future that blends human and AI capabilities.
Despite these efforts to promote AI skills and entry-level hiring in the UK, Salesforce is simultaneously implementing significant job cuts elsewhere, driven by advancements in AI technology. Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, has indicated that the adoption of tools such as Agentforce allows the company to reduce staff expenditures and limit hiring in areas like customer support and software engineering. In September 2025, he revealed that the company had already cut customer support roles by approximately 50% due to the success of its internal AI initiatives.
AI’s Dual Role in Business Growth
While Bahrololoumi and Paul O’Sullivan, UKI Chief Technology Officer, underscored that AI would enhance job opportunities for graduates and junior workers, they also noted its potential advantages for smaller businesses. These firms often struggle to scale their workforce effectively. Bahrololoumi reported a notable increase in interest in Salesforce’s ‘commercial business’ segment, which includes enterprise clients with revenues of $2 million or less. This category experienced approximately 35% growth in Q1 2025, with continued double-digit growth projected for Q2 and an anticipated 31% increase in Q3.
The rise in commercial business interest indicates that smaller firms are leveraging technology to expand without proportionally increasing their workforce. Bahrololoumi pointed out that these businesses are thriving by utilizing tools that facilitate growth independent of headcount.
In this context, Salesforce is increasing its hiring plans in the UK&I region to meet the rising demand within the commercial sector. Despite the challenges posed by AI, the company’s hiring targets remain intact, though the criteria for candidates are shifting. There is a greater emphasis on hiring certified engineers with hands-on experience in generative AI, which aligns with industry demands.
Investing in Future Talent
Salesforce is also focusing on nurturing its existing talent pool by equipping current engineers with AI skills, as noted by O’Sullivan. He emphasized the importance of ongoing training and development, stating, “If we think about the existing community of engineers we’ve got, we’re now being really prescriptive on carving out time to stay current, stay relevant.”
The company is actively hiring individuals who possess strong digital and AI skills, which are increasingly prevalent among recent graduates. Nathalie Scardino, President and Chief People Officer at Salesforce, highlighted the benefits of “reverse mentorship,” where new graduates share their AI expertise with seasoned professionals across the organization. This strategy aims to foster knowledge exchange and enhance the overall skill set within the company.
Salesforce onboarded around 1,000 interns over the summer, reflecting its commitment to cultivating a new generation of talent. As the landscape of work continues to evolve with AI integration, Salesforce remains focused on balancing technological advancements with the need for a skilled workforce ready to meet future challenges.
