A new Salesforce report has found that more than four in five software development leaders across the Asia Pacific region believe AI agents will become just as essential to application development as traditional tools. The findings, part of Salesforce’s latest State of IT survey, suggest growing optimism among developers about the use of agentic AI, especially in driving productivity and efficiency.
The survey covered over 2,000 software development leaders, including 587 from APAC, which includes countries like Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. In the region, 70% of developers said AI agents have the potential to speed up app development processes and deliver better outcomes.
Low-code and no-code tools are helping widen access
Low-code and no-code tools are playing a major role in enabling wider adoption of AI agents among developers of all experience levels. These tools are seen as key enablers in building, scaling and democratising access to agentic AI solutions.
Among developers in APAC currently using agentic AI, 86% are already leveraging low-code or no-code tools. Additionally, 79% believe that such platforms can help make AI development more accessible, while 85% said they help scale AI deployment more effectively. These tools are easing the entry barriers for developers without advanced coding backgrounds, allowing broader participation in AI-driven development.
Developers call for better infrastructure, testing and training
Despite the enthusiasm, the report also highlights concerns around infrastructure, data quality, testing capabilities and skills readiness. A significant majority of APAC developers (85%) said their organisations need to upgrade infrastructure to fully support AI agent deployment.
Data quality also remains a challenge. Nearly half (46%) of the developers surveyed said the accuracy and quality of their data are not yet at the level required for effective AI development and implementation. Testing capabilities were another concern, with 45% indicating that their current systems and workflows are not prepared for building and deploying AI agents.
Skills readiness is another key area developers feel needs attention. While more than 80% of respondents agreed that AI knowledge will soon become a baseline requirement in their profession, over half (51%) admitted they don’t yet feel adequately equipped for the transition to an AI agent–driven future. Many pointed to technical AI training and a clearer definition of future roles as top areas where employers can offer more support.
Gavin Barfield, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Solutions at Salesforce ASEAN, said, “AI agents are redefining software development. Low-code/no-code tools allow developers of all skill levels to build and deploy agents, lowering barriers to entry and scaling AI development for the better. What’s more, AI agents also enable developers to shift their focus from manual coding and repetitive tasks to high-value problem-solving, architecture and strategic decision-making. This transition from output to business impact is being powered by solutions like Agentforce that make writing, reviewing and optimising code faster, easier and more efficient than ever before. The impact of AI agents on the industry is undeniable, and the best time for organisations to invest in empowering developers with the right skills, resources and infrastructure is right now.”
Survey methodology and background
The research findings are based on a double-anonymous survey conducted between 24 December 2024 and 3 February 2025. The respondents included IT decision-makers and software development leaders from across the APAC region.
Salesforce, the global leader in CRM, supports organisations of all sizes in adapting to an AI-first world. Through its Agentforce platform, it brings together human expertise and AI agents to drive customer success using data and automation.
