Salesforce has introduced two new certifications for 2023: the Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant Certification and the Salesforce AI Associate Certification. The Data Cloud Consultant Certification focuses on designing and implementing Data Cloud solutions, while the AI Associate Certification validates foundational knowledge in AI and data use in CRM. Both certifications require knowledge of Salesforce’s Trusted AI Principles and offer opportunities for professionals to enhance their skills in AI and data management.

1. Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant Certification: This certification is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and capabilities to effectively leverage Salesforce’s Data Cloud. It encompasses various aspects such as data integration, data management, and data security, enabling individuals to confidently handle data-driven challenges.
2. Salesforce AI Associate Certification: This certification is specifically tailored to validate the proficiency of individuals in utilizing Salesforce’s AI capabilities. It covers a wide range of AI concepts, including machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics. By obtaining this certification, professionals can demonstrate their ability to develop and deploy AI solutions within the Salesforce ecosystem.

Allow me to provide you with a comprehensive overview of these new and highly sought-after Salesforce certifications.

The new Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant Certification

The Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant Certification is a professional certification for anyone interested in demonstrating competence with Salesforce Data Cloud. Salesforce Professional Certifications are designed for individuals with a broad range of professional experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities in a specific Salesforce role. The certification will help you prepare to position and implement Data Cloud at your organization or, if you’re a partner, for your customers.

By earning the certification, you demonstrate your skills in designing, configuring, building and implementing Data Cloud solutions. Earning the Data Cloud Consultant Certification proves your ability to:

• Create unified customer profiles across all touch points by connecting identities, engagement data, customer orders, loyalty, and marketing journeys.
• Build smarter audience segments using insights and filtering capabilities.
• Activate data from anywhere across your organization.
• Capture and unify data from anywhere with a high-scale data ingestion service.
• Analyze your data using tools like Tableau or Intelligence.

Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant certification Exam Outline

1. Solution overview (18%)

• Business value, use cases
• Data cloud lifecycle and its dependencies (Things that need to be in place before its implementation)
• Data ethics

2. Data cloud setup and administration (12%)

• Permissions
• Data stream types and data bundles
• Data spaces use cases and their creation
• General administration
• Data explorer, profile explorer, and APIs

3. Data Ingestion and modeling (20%)

• Transformation capabilities (Streaming and Batch)
• Data Ingestion from different sources into Data Cloud
• Define, map, and model data for identity resolution
• Inspect and validate ingested and modeled data

4. Identity resolution (14%)

• Matching and rule sets
• Reconcile data and rule sets

5. Segmentation and Insights (18%)

• Segmentation use cases and maintenance
• Analyzing segment membership
• Calculated versus streaming insights

6. Act on Data (18%)

• Activations use cases and troubleshooting
• Attributes and related attributes
• Timing dependencies
• Data actions use cases

How You Can Be a Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant

A Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant plays a crucial role in organizations by having a deep understanding of Customer 360. They are responsible for enabling real-time automation using Data Cloud, which spans across multiple clouds such as Marketing, Sales, Service, and more.

For individuals who possess experience in implementing and consulting on enterprise data platforms, pursuing the Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant Exam would be a logical next step in their career.

To ensure success in the exam, I highly recommend checking the comprehensive Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant Exam Guide. It provides valuable insights into the exam structure and content. Additionally, reviewing the recommended training materials is essential to gain a solid understanding of the topics that will be covered. Similar to other Salesforce Professional Certifications, you will be given a generous 90 minutes to complete the exam, which consists of 60 thought-provoking questions.

The new Salesforce AI Associate Certification

The Salesforce AI Associate Certification is for individuals who are ready to bring positive and significant changes to their organizations using AI technology. With the rapid growth of AI, individuals are looking for opportunities to expand their knowledge and prepare for the future of work. This certification is designed for people from all backgrounds, including business leaders and professionals, who may or may not have any prior knowledge of AI. This certification will validate foundational skills in the ethical and responsible handling of data as it applies to AI in CRM.

By successfully passing the Salesforce AI Associate exam, you demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of:

AI and data capabilities in the Salesforce Platform

Key components of the Customer 360 platform

Trusted Salesforce AI principles, particularly in the context of CRM systems like Salesforce and its suite of products

Implications of data quality and data model accuracy for AI

How stakeholders can use AI to improve their business by identifying opportunities for AI-driven improvements and potential challenges

Ethical and responsible handling of data, including privacy, bias, security, and compliance considerations

Salesforce Associate AI Exam Outline

1. AI Fundamentals (17%)

• Explain the basic principles and applications of AI within Salesforce
• Differentiates between the types of AI and their capabilities

2. AI Capabilities in CRM (8%)

• Identify CRM AI capabilities
• Describe the benefits of AI as they apply to CRM

3. Ethical Considerations of AI (39%)

• Describe the ethical challenges of AI (E.g. Lack of transparency, Human Bias involved in machine learning, etc.)
• Apply Salesforce’s Trusted AI principles to given scenarios

4. Data for AI (36%)

• Describe the importance of data quality
• Describe the elements/components of data quality

How You Can Be a Salesforce Certified AI Associate

A Salesforce Certified AI Associate possesses a comprehensive skill set that enables them to develop and implement effective strategies. With their expertise, they can assist stakeholders in making well-informed decisions by adhering to Salesforce’s Trusted AI Principles.

While there are no specific prerequisites for the Salesforce Certified AI Associate Exam, I highly recommend completing the Salesforce Associate Certification prior to attempting this exam. Additionally, it is beneficial to review the Salesforce Certified AI Associate Exam Guide, which provides valuable insights and suggests recommended training resources.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the introduction of the Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant Certification and the Salesforce AI Associate Certification in 2023 presents exciting opportunities for professionals to enhance their skills in AI and data management. The Data Cloud Consultant Certification focuses on designing and implementing Data Cloud solutions, enabling individuals to confidently handle data-driven challenges. On the other hand, the AI Associate Certification validates foundational knowledge in AI and data use in CRM, allowing professionals to demonstrate their ability to develop and deploy AI solutions within the Salesforce ecosystem. Both certifications require knowledge of Salesforce’s Trusted AI Principles, emphasizing the ethical and responsible handling of data. By obtaining these certifications, individuals can position themselves as experts in the field and contribute to their organizations’ success in the ever-evolving world of technology and data.