Get Ready for AI: How Salesforce Roles are Evolving in 2024

As reports suggest, Artificial Intelligence will create around 97 million jobs by 2025^[i].

AI aids businesses in automating tasks, analyzing extensive datasets, and expediting decision-making processes.

Leading the AI bandwagon, Salesforce has more than 73,165 certified professionals from 98 countries across the globe^[ii].

Now with AI integrating deeper into Salesforce’s ecosystem, the conventional roles and responsibilities within Salesforce are also experiencing a change.

So, what are new skills organizations looking for?

In this blog post, let us learn more about how AI in Salesforce is changing existing roles and how you can equip your team for AI-driven work processes.

Identifying the Essential AI Roles Within Salesforce for 2024

As AI continues to revolutionize the Salesforce ecosystem, traditional roles are undergoing significant transformations while new roles are emerging to meet the demands of an AI-driven world. Let’s explore how these roles are evolving:

1. Salesforce Administrators

Traditionally responsible for configuring and managing Salesforce instances, Salesforce Administrators are now required to possess a deeper understanding of AI tools and features integrated into the platform. They play a crucial role in implementing and optimizing AI-driven solutions such as Einstein Analytics and Einstein Bots, ensuring seamless integration and user adoption across the organization.

2. Salesforce Developers

Salesforce Developers are instrumental in building custom applications and integrations on the Salesforce platform. With the advent of AI, developers are now tasked with leveraging AI technologies such as Einstein Vision and Language to enhance the functionality and intelligence of Salesforce applications. They work closely with data scientists and AI developers to integrate AI models into Salesforce workflows, delivering personalized experiences and actionable insights to users.

3. Salesforce Consultants

Salesforce Consultants serve as trusted advisors, guiding organizations in maximizing the value of their Salesforce investments. In the realm of AI, consultants help businesses identify opportunities to leverage AI capabilities to address specific challenges and achieve strategic objectives. They provide expertise in AI strategy development, solution design, and implementation, ensuring alignment with business goals and driving tangible outcomes.

4. Salesforce Architects

Salesforce Architects are the masterminds behind designing scalable and high-performing Salesforce solutions. They are responsible for visualizing and architecting AI-powered systems that align with the organization’s business objectives. Salesforce Architects collaborate closely with stakeholders, including Salesforce Administrators, Developers, and Data Scientists, to ensure that AI capabilities are integrated into the Salesforce ecosystem while maintaining scalability, security, and reliability.

5. Data Scientists

Data Scientists play an important role in Salesforce AI by leveraging advanced analytics and machine learning techniques to extract insights from large datasets. They design and train AI models to predict customer behavior, optimize marketing campaigns, and automate business processes within the Salesforce ecosystem. Data Scientists collaborate closely with Salesforce Developers and Administrators to operationalize AI models and deploy them into production environments.

6. AI Developers

AI Developers specialize in building and deploying AI solutions tailored to the unique needs of Salesforce customers. They possess expertise in machine learning frameworks, natural language processing, and computer vision, leveraging these technologies to create intelligent applications and services on the Salesforce platform. AI Developers work with Salesforce Developers to integrate AI capabilities seamlessly into existing Salesforce workflows, driving innovation and differentiation.

7. AI Strategists

AI Strategists play a crucial role in shaping the overall AI strategy within an organization’s Salesforce environment. They assess business needs, market trends, and technological advancements to develop a comprehensive roadmap for AI adoption and implementation. AI Strategists collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize initiatives, define success metrics, and drive organizational change to ensure the effective integration and utilization of AI technologies across the Salesforce ecosystem.

How to Make Your Salesforce Team AI Ready?

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into the platform, the way we work and the skills we need are transforming. So, for your team to stay ahead of the trends, a timely approach needs to be followed. Here’s a blueprint on how you can steer through the process:

1. Skill Gap Analysis

The journey begins with introspection. Conduct thorough skill assessments to identify your team’s current understanding of AI, data literacy, and relevant technical skills specific to their roles. Simultaneously, define the specific goals for AI implementation within your organization. This two-pronged approach will help you pinpoint the exact skill gaps that need to be addressed.

2. Investing in Knowledge

With a clear understanding of the skills needed, it’s time to bridge the gap. Invest in tailored training programs, workshops, and certifications that cater to the specific needs of each team member. Encourage self-directed learning by providing access to online resources, industry publications, and individual learning initiatives. Remember, continuous learning is an ongoing process.

3. Encourage the Culture of Continuous Learning

As AI increasingly shapes business environments, you must prepare your Salesforce teams for this technological shift. This involves implementing initiatives like reskilling programs, AI-focused training courses, etc. This will enable your Salesforce teams to stay updated on AI advancements and develop the skills needed to implement AI in their roles.

To understand this in a better way, Salesforce has taken a similar approach by establishing an AI Council for the innovative adoption of AI technology within the company. They’ve also introduced Ask Concierge, an AI-powered employee support bot for employees to access information and support throughout their career journey. As a responsible employer, isn’t this a great way that you can leverage too for upskilling your employees?

4. Facilitate Team Collaboration

AI adoption across your Salesforce team involves interdisciplinary efforts, requiring expertise from various departments such as IT, product development, legal, and ethics.

To build team collaboration across your Salesforce team for AI adoption, regular team meetings or workshops focused on AI initiatives can provide opportunities for team members to exchange ideas, share best practices, and address any challenges together.

Additionally, utilizing collaboration tools within Salesforce, such as Chatter, can promote real-time communication and collaboration among team members working on AI projects.

5. Implement Ethical AI Practices

As AI becomes more prevalent, ethical considerations become imperative. Develop clear guidelines that establish ethical principles for data collection, model development, and deployment of AI within your organization. Promote transparency and explainability by ensuring your team understands how AI models work and the potential biases they might contain.

6. Utilize Salesforce Resources

Salesforce provides a wealth of resources to empower your team on their AI journey. Utilize built-in AI capabilities like Einstein Analytics for data visualization, predictive insights, and automated workflows. Furthermore, you can explore the AppExchange, a marketplace with pre-built AI solutions that address specific business needs. Trailhead, Salesforce’s free learning platform, which offers courses and certifications can be a go-to resource for your teams to learn AI fundamentals and Salesforce-specific applications.

Summary

The integration of AI into Salesforce is transforming the platform and demands new skill sets from your team. Your Salesforce team can stay updated with trends by actively engaging in Salesforce communities and industry events.

However, AI complements human expertise, not replaces it. So, the human touch remains essential in addressing complex situations. It’s the human touch that imbues interactions with authenticity, empathy, and emotional intelligence—qualities that are integral to building trust and loyalty.

This becomes even more important in the context of Salesforce as building meaningful customer relationships is a core competency of the platform.

Statistical References:

^[i] World Economic Forum
^[ii] CRM Consulting