Salesforce regrets firing 4000 experienced staff and replacing them with AI
Submitted 8 hours ago by Thomas2024@feddit.org to technology@lemmy.world
https://maarthandam.com/2025/12/25/salesforce-regrets-firing-4000-staff-ai/
Comments
panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 8 hours ago
panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 8 hours ago
Salesforce has now begun reframing its AI strategy, shifting away from the language of replacement toward what executives call “rebalancing.” Rather than eliminating roles outright, the company says future AI deployments will emphasize augmentation, with humans retained in decision-critical and customer-facing positions.
This was so obviously the solution that should hav been tried first
Salesforce’s reversal has become a reference point in ongoing debates about AI and employment. While automation remains a central pillar of the company’s long-term strategy, its experience has underscored a growing consensus among executives and analysts: AI can reduce workloads, but replacing skilled workers too quickly carries real operational risk.
I don’t get why boards don’t dump these CEOs. I’m sure they’re happy with the reduced costs from firing half the employees, but to not consider the potential issues and actually vet the quality was such a bad decision. The facts are there was zero advantage to being the first to do AI customer support, but firing half your employees is irreversible.
Kirp123@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
A lot of these companies chase short term gains to look good on their quarterly report. These CEOs were most likely lauded when they presented the lowered costs on that quarterly and most likely got some fat bonuses out of it too. Now that the chickens have come to roost they are scrambling but they can still get away by blaming it on other shit. Even if they do get removes they already made their money through they bonuses and they can find a different position where to fail upwards.
Feyd@programming.dev 7 hours ago
The CEO is the face. The board is involved in decisions of this magnitude.
NikkiDimes@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
I’m sure they’re happy with the reduced costs from firing half the employees, but to not consider the potential issues and actually vet the quality was such a bad decision
Kind of becomes irrelevant when the initial reduced costs were probably decimated by secondary costs they hadn’t even considered, for example, time wasted by remaining employees now burdened with correcting the AI’s mistakes.
Darkcoffee@sh.itjust.works 4 hours ago
Wanna know the best part?
They now get to rehire, and set salary expectations lower.
TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
I’m so glad this was made illegal in the UK.
Melvin_Ferd@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
Why don’t developers spend a few hours a week working together to ruin the Salesforce image just to make an example of them to never do this.
Azal@pawb.social 2 hours ago
I have a friend in programming. He says it’s baffling that the entire industry is anti-union and tends to be pretty pro-corporate.
Passerby6497@lemmy.world 8 hours ago
Inb4 “Salesforce CEO: No one wants to work (for us) anymore!”
phutatorius@lemmy.zip 7 hours ago
Does anyone who uses Salesforce not regret their decision?
Sludge@sh.itjust.works 5 hours ago
I’ve seen very few solid implementations of Salesforce… And the consultants are expensive. I’m sure it can be implemented correctly, but it seems you’d need dedicated growth ops staff to tweak, adjust, and continue to optimize the platform.
hperrin@lemmy.ca 4 hours ago
That’s what happens when idiots are in charge.
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
views america
Yep. That tracks.
Sendpicsofsandwiches@sh.itjust.works 8 hours ago
Company shoots self in the foot to the surprise of noone, except for the company
simplejack@lemmy.world 7 hours ago
Alternatively, Salesforce could invest in a user experience that isn’t a confusing PoS that requires 9000 customer service agents to help people get through it. Just say’n.
TheReturnOfPEB@reddthat.com 8 hours ago
let them cook
BCOVertigo@lemmy.world 7 hours ago
Zoot@reddthat.com 51 minutes ago
What episode is this from? God it feels so familiar and yet asserole on the table means I gotta watch it again
raman_klogius@ani.social 7 hours ago
Let the kitchen burn down
rc__buggy@sh.itjust.works 6 hours ago
fucking lol. lmao even.
I hate the three letter club so much
danc4498@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
AI told them to do it.
reddig33@lemmy.world 7 hours ago
shocked.Kirk.gif
Feyd@programming.dev 7 hours ago
Silly that it has to use hedge language like not ready “yet” and “premature”. These executives fucked up and deserve to be roasted. They didn’t make an innocent mistake. They were grossly incompetent and should be losing their jobs for not doing even the most basic due diligence before making decisions that were not only bad for the affected employees but for their customers and the company itself.
Typhoon@lemmy.ca 6 hours ago
They fired 4000 people on an assumption. They should never hold a position of responsibility again.