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Salesforce to Cut Over 1,000 Jobs While Expanding AI Workforce

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Salesforce is set to cut over 1,000 jobs as part of a strategic shift to focus more on selling artificial intelligence products. Despite the layoffs, the company will offer displaced employees the opportunity to apply for other positions within the organization, according to a report by Bloomberg News. The specific departments impacted by the layoffs have not been disclosed.

As of January 31, 2024, Salesforce employed 72,682 people, and the latest cuts come after a series of similar actions in recent months. In December 2023, CEO Marc Benioff highlighted the success of “Agentforce,” the company’s platform for AI-powered virtual agents, which secured over 1,000 paid deals. Earlier reports from January 2024 and July 2024 indicated smaller rounds of job cuts, including 700 and 300 roles, respectively.

Salesforce is actively hiring to bolster its workforce in AI sales, aiming to capitalize on growing demand for AI-driven solutions. The company is scheduled to report its quarterly earnings on February 26, 2025.

 

AI-Driven Shopping Boosts Online Holiday Sales, Salesforce Data Shows

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AI-powered chatbots and other digital tools significantly contributed to a nearly 4% year-over-year increase in U.S. online sales during the 2024 holiday season, according to Salesforce data. Retailers harnessed AI-driven customer service features such as conversational chatbots, targeted promotions, and personalized product recommendations to attract shoppers seeking trending products and the best deals.

From November 1 to December 31, U.S. online sales reached $282 billion, up from $272 billion in 2023, surpassing Salesforce’s initial 2% growth forecast, despite more restrained discounts. AI-based chatbots saw a 42% increase in usage compared to the previous year, with Salesforce analyzing data from 1.6 trillion page views to reach this conclusion.

Globally, AI-driven sales grew to $229 billion, compared to $199 billion in 2023. While AI was a major growth driver, a concerning 28% product return rate, up from 20% in 2023, was highlighted as a potential drag on profit margins for retailers, according to Caila Schwartz, director of Consumer Insights at Salesforce.

“Retailers who have embraced AI and agents are already seeing the benefits, but these tools will be even more critical in the new year as retailers aim to minimize revenue losses on returns and re-engage with shoppers,” Schwartz said.

The report also noted that mobile shopping peaked on Christmas Day, with 79% of all orders made through smartphones during the holiday season. Social media platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram helped drive 14% of all traffic to e-commerce sites.

 

Jim Cramer Highlights Success of Salesforce’s AI Products Following Strong Earnings

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Jim Cramer recently discussed the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on business, particularly in light of Salesforce’s strong earnings results. Cramer emphasized that AI, which has been widely discussed, is proving to be a powerful and profitable technology, especially as showcased by Salesforce’s latest product success.

“I don’t often delve into AI’s potential, but perhaps I should talk about it more,” Cramer said, acknowledging the vast sums of money AI is generating in the business world. He expressed concern about underestimating its financial impact.

Salesforce’s recent quarter exceeded analysts’ expectations, with a nearly 11% jump in share price during Wednesday’s session. On the earnings call, CEO Marc Benioff highlighted the success of Agentforce, Salesforce’s AI-driven platform designed to automate tasks in areas like marketing and customer service. Benioff referred to Agentforce as “unleashing this new era of digital labor,” a tool for businesses to optimize their operations.

Cramer pointed out that although many on Wall Street had initially questioned the profitability of AI, Salesforce’s results demonstrate the tangible value of generative AI in business. In fact, Salesforce claimed it closed over 200 deals involving Agentforce last quarter, underscoring its growing adoption.

Cramer also reassured viewers that AI agents, such as those used in Salesforce’s platform, are not intended to replace human workers. Instead, these AI tools are designed to take over tasks that are repetitive or difficult for companies to fill, allowing workers to focus on more meaningful, creative work.

“When this new industrial revolution fully arrives, people will prefer to interact with AI agents that can handle tasks more efficiently than humans,” Cramer said. “I welcome the rise of Agentforce and the ‘agentics’ that come with it.”

Salesforce did not immediately respond to a request for comment.