Clara Shih, CEO of Salesforce AI, emphasizes that critical thinking and problem-solving abilities will be more valuable than coding skills in the AI era. In a discussion about the future of work, Shih argues that while technical skills remain important, the ability to identify and frame problems that AI can solve will become increasingly crucial. She highlights that as AI tools become more sophisticated at writing code, the human advantage will lie in understanding business contexts, ethical implications, and strategic applications of AI. Shih points out that workers should focus on developing skills that complement AI rather than compete with it, suggesting that the “agency problem” - knowing what to ask AI to do - will be more valuable than the technical ability to code. The article also discusses how Salesforce is integrating AI across its platform, with Shih noting that successful AI implementation requires both technical expertise and business acumen. She emphasizes that future workforce success will depend on combining domain expertise with an understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations. The key takeaway is that while coding knowledge is beneficial, the ability to think critically, identify problems, and direct AI solutions will be the distinguishing factor for professionals in the coming years.