Presented by Salesforce
Hey there! Let’s dive into the world of AI strategy with Salesforce. In a recent study conducted by Salesforce in 2025, they found that C-suite leaders are ramping up their adoption of AI agents by a whopping 327% in the next two years. However, the key takeaway here is that trust is the linchpin for unlocking the true value of these AI agents.
Trust acts as the glue that holds everything together when it comes to scaling AI agents effectively and reaping the benefits they promise. This is where Agentforce comes in. Salesforce’s Agentforce 360 Platform is designed to infuse trust into every aspect of how AI agents interact with humans, ensuring seamless implementation at scale.
“Trust is the key to accelerating the impact of AI agents,” says Joe Inzerillo, chief digital officer at Salesforce. “When leaders have trust in their data, systems, and governance, AI transitions from a mere experiment to a transformative force within the enterprise. Trust isn’t a roadblock; it’s the foundation that propels companies forward, aligns teams, and unlocks the full potential of the agentic enterprise.”
Building Trust Across the Board
Quality data, security, and employee buy-in are the cornerstones of trust, according to insights gathered from hundreds of CIOs, CFOs, and CHROs:
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CIOs are concerned about the quality of data, with one of their top fears being a lack of trusted data for AI implementation.
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CFOs lose sleep over security and privacy threats, with 66% citing them as their top concern regarding AI strategy.
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CHROs are focused on ensuring that employees understand how AI agents will impact their work, with 73% stating that there is still a lack of awareness among their workforce.
It’s clear that trust is a universal priority for leaders across various functions. Alignment on trust is crucial, whether it’s CIOs emphasizing data quality, CFOs highlighting security risks, or CHROs focusing on employee readiness. Trust must be established holistically, technically, operationally, and culturally for agentic AI to succeed.
A study by IDC found that CEOs who are prepared to implement AI agents are more invested in ethics, governance, and guardrails compared to those who aren’t prepared. This underscores the importance of preparation in building trust for successful AI adoption.
To help leaders fast-track the value of agentic AI, the Agentforce 360 Platform integrates key trust elements – data quality, security, and employee adoption – directly into its framework. The Einstein Trust Layer ensures data security and accuracy in real-time, while fostering employee acceptance by seamlessly integrating autonomous agents into everyday workflows. With Agentforce, humans and agents can collaborate effectively.
Empowering CIOs, CFOs, and CHROs
CIOs are taking concrete steps to turn their agentic AI ambitions into reality. The Salesforce study reveals that AI budgets have nearly doubled, with CIOs allocating 30% of their budget to agentic AI projects. However, concerns around data quality persist, as only 23% of CIOs are fully confident in their investments in AI with built-in data governance.
The key for CIOs lies in embedding AI into the flow of work and instilling trust at every stage of the process. Daniel Shmitt, Salesforce’s CIO, emphasizes the importance of integrating AI seamlessly into workflows to enhance speed and confidence.
CFOs have shifted gears towards embracing agentic AI, with a significant increase in aggressive AI adoption strategies. However, security and privacy threats continue to be a major worry for 66% of CFOs, highlighting the pivotal role of trust in budget approvals. Robin Washington, president and CFO at Salesforce, underscores the transformative nature of AI agents for CFOs, reshaping the entire scope of the finance function.
CHROs are focused on building trust within teams to ensure a smooth integration of AI agents alongside existing employees. Reskilling and upskilling initiatives are underway, with 81% of HR chiefs planning to equip employees for success in the era of agentic AI. Nathalie Scardino, Salesforce’s chief people officer, emphasizes the need for organizational resilience and talent development to navigate the digital labor revolution.
Trust in AI Technology
Establishing a trusted foundation for AI is paramount for companies looking to scale AI responsibly and drive innovation across workflows. The Salesforce trusted AI foundation offers three core capabilities – context and accuracy, built-in trust, security, and compliance, and an open and unified platform – to make the Agentforce 360 Platform robust, explainable, and secure.
“A trusted AI foundation empowers companies to accelerate AI adoption responsibly and drive business value at scale,” says Inzerillo. “With trust at the core of the platform, teams can experiment, iterate, and deliver impactful results with confidence.” The agentic enterprise hinges on trust with boards, employees, and customers, and platforms like the Agentforce 360 Platform play a pivotal role in translating that trust into tangible business outcomes.
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