Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has expressed skepticism about the excitement surrounding artificial general intelligence (AGI). In a discussion on the “20VC” podcast with Harry Stebbings, Benioff challenged the notion that AGI is imminent, noting that current technology is still significantly distant from achieving human-level intelligence. When Stebbings mentioned Amazon’s AGI research team in San Francisco, which claimed that fewer than 1,000 individuals worldwide possess the skills needed to develop the next generation of AI models, Benioff responded sarcastically. He remarked that the term “AGI head” seemed contradictory and described much of the AGI narrative as akin to “hypnosis” about the potential of artificial intelligence.
While acknowledging that large language models (LLMs) have made substantial strides in natural language processing and automation, Benioff firmly stated that these tools should not be mistaken for true human intelligence. He emphasized, “It is not a person, it does not feel pain, and it has no compassion,” highlighting the significant gap between machines and humans. The AGI debate has divided leaders in Silicon Valley. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently clarified that GPT-5 does not constitute AGI, as it lacks the ability to learn continuously. Although Altman has discussed the economic opportunities linked to AGI, he conceded that current technology is far from achieving these goals.
Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis has also pointed out the issue of consistency in AI models as one of the major barriers to reaching AGI. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt cautioned that the tech industry’s obsession with AGI could detract from the real benefits that existing AI tools offer across various sectors. Despite his skepticism, Benioff did not entirely dismiss the future possibility of AGI. He referenced Hollywood movies like Minority Report and WarGames, where Salesforce’s chief futurist Peter Schwartz was a consultant, as instances of how the line between science fiction and actual technology can often become blurred. For now, he stressed that these visions remain fictional and do not reflect the current capabilities of AI.
His views align with other industry leaders advocating for caution against overstated fears of an AI-driven apocalypse. Recently, David Sacks, a White House crypto adviser, remarked that forecasts of an “AGI apocalypse” are largely exaggerated. Benioff’s remarks represent a more cautious perspective on AI, acknowledging the considerable advancements made while reminding audiences that machines cannot replicate the core aspects of human intelligence. While some in the technology sector continue to propose ambitious timelines for AGI, Benioff’s insights serve as a reminder that the technology is still far from attaining the human-like capabilities often depicted in films or envisioned by futurists.