Salesforce has undertaken a workforce reduction impacting fewer than 1,000 employees in early February, a report from Business Insider indicates. The layoffs reportedly touched several departments, including marketing, product management, data analytics, and the company's Agentforce AI product unit.
AI Transition and Executive Moves
The cuts occur as the company emphasizes artificial intelligence as a core growth driver. Salesforce has been promoting its AI "agent" software, designed to autonomously perform tasks, with CEO Marc Benioff previously stating it is central to the company's product strategy. This move aligns with a broader industry trend where firms are integrating AI tools to automate functions, potentially reducing staffing needs in certain areas.
Concurrently, Salesforce is undergoing significant executive changes. Business Insider reported the company has hired or promoted six new leaders following a series of departures since December. Notably, Adam Evans, the head of the Agentforce unit, announced his departure. Other recent exits include leaders from the Tableau and Slack divisions.
Financial Context and Market Watch
The timing precedes Salesforce's scheduled fourth-quarter earnings report on February 25. Investors are keenly watching for evidence that enterprise clients are adopting and paying for the company's AI agent platforms. In December, Salesforce raised its fiscal 2026 revenue and profit outlook, citing anticipated growth in AI and strong enterprise demand.
The company has not publicly confirmed the scope or details of the recent layoffs. It remains unclear whether this is an isolated adjustment or part of a longer-term restructuring that could influence product development roadmaps. The report described the reductions as a quiet maneuver, lacking a formal public announcement.
