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A Salesforce exec tells BI there's an even more important skill for employees than coding

May 29, 2025 - businessinsider.com
Salesforce's chief futures officer, Peter Schwartz, emphasized that empathy is the most crucial skill for employees in the AI era, surpassing traditional coding skills. He highlighted the importance of collaboration and understanding in the workplace, as AI handles routine tasks. Schwartz noted that while it's challenging to measure empathy, it is essential for teamwork and creativity. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff also indicated that AI's role in coding has significantly increased productivity, suggesting a potential decline in the need for software engineers by 2025.

The impact of AI on coding is evident, with companies like Google reporting that a significant portion of new code is AI-generated. This shift has led to a decrease in job postings for software engineers, as AI takes on more technical tasks. While some tech leaders stress the importance of foundational coding skills, others, like Mark Zuckerberg, advocate for critical thinking and soft skills. Zuckerberg emphasized the value of learning deeply and mastering skills, which he believes are crucial for job candidates.

Key takeaways:

  • Empathy is considered the most important skill for employees in the AI era, according to Salesforce's chief futures officer, Peter Schwartz.
  • Coding is no longer the must-have skill as AI can handle routine tasks, making empathy and collaboration more valuable.
  • AI has significantly increased the productivity of coders at Salesforce, allowing them to code faster and more creatively.
  • There is a shift in the tech industry towards valuing soft skills and critical thinking over traditional coding skills.
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