Salesforce Hired Zero Engineers In Fiscal 2026, Benioff Says
Salesforce did not hire any new engineers during fiscal year 2026. Instead, CEO Marc Benioff credited AI coding agents for providing the needed development capacity. As a result, the company maintained output without expanding its engineering workforce.
During a February appearance, Benioff explained how AI reshaped hiring decisions. “I was allowing the productivity from the coding agent to give me the extra capacity that I needed for the year,” Benioff said. “But I did hire almost 20% more salespeople… We have more demand than ever”.
At the same time, the company slightly reduced service roles while increasing sales hiring. Therefore, the workforce strategy shifted toward revenue growth rather than technical expansion. This approach reflects a broader reliance on AI-driven productivity gains.
Restructuring Powered by AI Tools
This hiring pause follows a longer transformation that began in late 2024. Back then, the company announced it would stop adding engineers due to a 30% productivity boost from AI tools. Over time, this shift reshaped multiple departments.
For instance, customer support staffing dropped by roughly 50% during fiscal 2026. Meanwhile, AI agents handled most routine inquiries, which reduced operational demands. As a result, human workers focused more on complex and strategic tasks.
Despite these changes, financial performance remained strong. The company reported record revenue of $41.5 billion, marking a 10% year-over-year increase. בנוסף, operating cash flow reached $15 billion. Looking ahead, projected revenue for fiscal 2027 ranges from $45.8 billion to $46.2 billion.
At the same time, its AI agent platform continued to expand rapidly. Annual recurring revenue surpassed $800 million, rising 169% year over year. Moreover, more than 29,000 deals have been closed since launch.
Rising Debate Over AI and Jobs
However, the shift toward AI-driven workforces has raised concerns about job displacement. Recently, protesters gathered outside major AI company offices to demand a pause in advanced AI development. As concerns grow, public debate around automation continues to intensify.
“We believe that building AI that can automate AI research and that can self-improve could be a danger to the human race,” said Michael Trazzi of the group Stop the AI Race.
At the same time, policymakers have started to respond. The White House released a legislative framework aimed at shaping national AI policy. Meanwhile, President Trump encouraged Congress to limit liability for AI companies while strengthening protections for children.
Nevertheless, Benioff framed the shift as a reallocation rather than simple cost-cutting. He emphasized increased productivity among the company’s engineers despite no new hires. “We are the last generation of CEOs to manage only humans,” he said. “Every CEO in the future will manage both humans and agents together”
