Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce and co-owner of Time magazine, recently shared his views on artificial intelligence's (AI) transformative influence on business, society, and global politics in an interview with the Financial Times. He compared the current AI revolution to the personal computing breakthrough decades ago, highlighting AI and digital labor as multitrillion-dollar opportunities despite risks like job displacement and misuse. Benioff detailed Salesforce’s strategic use of AI via its Agentforce platform, which helps companies manage data and workflows more efficiently, automating routine tasks and enabling data-driven decisions. He expressed strong confidence that such platforms will fundamentally change organizational operations. Critically, Benioff found Microsoft’s AI Copilot initiative disappointing, suggesting it underperforms, while praising open-source AI models for fostering innovation, transparency, and collaboration that could disrupt proprietary AI development and accelerate progress worldwide. Beyond business, Benioff acknowledged AI’s societal challenges but urged a balanced view, cautioning against dystopian fears. He stressed that AI is a dual-use technology that, if responsibly developed and managed, can drive great good while necessitating safeguards against potential harm. Doing so requires pragmatic leadership mindful of ethical complexities. Politically, Benioff distances himself from partisanship, valuing Time’s editorial neutrality to promote unbiased, nuanced AI discourse. He recognizes AI’s impacts are interwoven with political contexts and believes impartial, fact-based dialogue is essential for navigating these issues.

Economically, he pointed to global trade tensions, tariffs, and U. S. political shifts requiring business agility. Salesforce’s data tools, he noted, empower companies to respond swiftly to volatile conditions by anticipating trends and making strategic choices. Benioff also commented on tensions emerging between Microsoft and OpenAI, illustrating the industry’s dynamic competitiveness. He commended Oracle’s Larry Ellison for his visionary support of the massive $500 billion Stargate data center project, which aims to bolster the computational power necessary for advancing AI research aligned with Sam Altman’s ambitions. Despite challenges and risks, Benioff remains optimistic. He emphasizes responsible technology use and leadership’s role in guiding customers through AI-driven transformation. By shaping AI integration thoughtfully, he believes the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, promising a future that is more productive, innovative, and connected. His insights offer a comprehensive view of AI’s current state and trajectory, underlining leadership, ethics, and collaboration as key to harnessing AI’s power for societal good.