We are probably the last generation to only work with humans: Salesforce's Arundhati Bhattacharya on the agentic future
Times of India
by ABHINAV KAUSTUBHFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The rise of AI agents is reshaping how we think about work, with Salesforce leaders predicting that future generations will manage both humans and AI-driven tasks. At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Arundhati Bhattacharya and Srini Tallapragada emphasized that this shift isn’t a cause for concern but an opportunity to redefine human roles in the workforce. Bhattacharya suggested that we may be the last generation solely focused on human interactions, as the next generations will work alongside AI agents.
Salesforce reframes jobs as collections of tasks—some routine and repetitive, others requiring judgment and experience. Tallapragada explained that AI agents are task absorbers, handling routine work while humans focus on complex, nuanced decisions. This evolution means every employee, from individual contributors to managers, will eventually become an "agent manager," overseeing both human teams and AI systems.
Trust emerges as a critical factor in scaling AI adoption. Salesforce highlights the importance of building a "trust layer" before deploying AI applications. This involves rigorous testing by red teams, ethical guidelines, and guardrails for customers implementing AI. Without trust, businesses remain hesitant to adopt AI at scale, recognizing the risks of bias, manipulation, and ethical breaches.
The implications of this shift extend globally, as industries across the world grapple with AI's potential. The transition toward an "agentified enterprise" isn’t just a technological change but a fundamental reimagining of how work is done. As AI becomes more integrated into daily operations, the focus on trust and ethical frameworks will be essential to ensure its responsible adoption.
This shift matters because it signals a broader societal transformation in how we approach labor and technology. The agentic future, as Salesforce envisions it, isn’t about replacing humans with machines but augmenting human capabilities and redefining roles to emphasize creativity, judgment, and empathy. Understanding this evolution is crucial for anyone interested in the future of work, innovation, and global business trends.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026