Kickstart your career with the World's First Salesforce & AI Programs by an IIT -
Bootcamps
Mock Exams
Hands-on Labs
Salesforce made an exciting announcement at Dreamforce 2024: starting September 23, 2024, through December 31, 2025, the AI Associate and AI Specialist certification exams will be available for free. This move opens the door for professionals of all backgrounds to explore the world of AI without financial constraints.
Related Read – Salesforce Announces Free AI Certifications & Training for All
Let’s break down how these certifications differ and help you decide which one best fits your career journey.
Overview of Salesforce AI Associate Certification
The Salesforce AI Associate Certification is an entry-level credential that focuses on the foundational principles of AI, particularly its integration with Salesforce’s CRM capabilities. This certification is suitable for individuals from various professional backgrounds and validates their understanding of responsible AI and data usage.
Checkout – Free Salesforce AI Associate Course
| Exam Details | Description |
| Questions | 40 multiple-choice questions |
| Duration | 70 minutes |
| Passing Score | 65% |
| Registration Fee | USD 75 (retakes are free) |
| Delivery Options | Testing center or online with virtual proctor |
| Prerequisites | None |
Best Fit for AI Associate Certification
This certification is ideal for beginners or non-technical professionals looking to get a solid grounding in AI fundamentals. It’s designed for business leaders, Salesforce admins, and professionals who want to understand the role of AI in CRM without diving into complex technical details.
Core Topics Covered in AI Associate Certification
| Topic | Weightage | Description |
| AI Fundamentals | 17% | Covers the basic principles of AI and its integration within the Salesforce CRM platform. |
| AI Capabilities in CRM | 8% | Focuses on identifying and understanding AI-driven capabilities in CRM systems, such as predictive analytics. |
| Ethical Considerations of AI | 39% | The largest section, emphasizing ethical AI use, bias, and Salesforce’s Trusted AI Principles. |
| Data for AI | 36% | Highlights the importance of high-quality data in AI and its impact on AI model performance. |
Related Read – Salesforce Certified AI Associate Exam Decoded
Overview of Salesforce AI Specialist Certification
The Salesforce AI Specialist Certification is an advanced-level credential aimed at professionals who want to deploy and customize AI-driven features within Salesforce. This certification delves into complex AI capabilities, requiring a deeper understanding of Salesforce’s AI tools, including Einstein, generative AI, and AI-powered automation.
Checkout – Free Salesforce Certified AI Specialist Course
| Exam Details | Description |
| Questions | 60 multiple-choice questions |
| Duration | 105 minutes |
| Passing Score | 73% |
| Registration Fee | USD 200 (plus applicable taxes) |
| Retake Fee | USD 100 |
| Delivery Options | Testing center or online with virtual proctor |
| Prerequisites | None |
Best Fit for AI Specialist Certification
The AI Specialist certification is designed for individuals who are already working in AI-related roles or want to move into more advanced positions such as AI engineers, developers, or data scientists within the Salesforce ecosystem.
Core Topics Covered in AI Specialist Certification
| Topic | Weightage | Description |
| Einstein Trust Layer | 15% | Focuses on AI security, privacy, and ethical use within Salesforce, including data protection and compliance. |
| Generative AI in CRM Applications | 17% | Covers how generative AI is applied in Salesforce to optimize sales and service processes. |
| Prompt Builder | 37% | The most heavily weighted section, it tests knowledge of customizing AI outputs using prompt templates. |
| Einstein Copilot | 23% | Examines how to automate tasks and real-time actions using Einstein Copilot in business workflows. |
| Model Builder | 8% | Focuses on creating and configuring custom AI models to meet specific business needs. |
Related Read – Salesforce Certified AI Specialist Exam Guide
Key Differences Between AI Associate and AI Specialist
1. Depth of Knowledge and Expertise
- AI Associate: This certification provides a foundational understanding of AI concepts. It focuses on introducing AI principles, responsible AI usage, and the role of AI in CRM systems, such as using AI to improve customer interactions and optimize sales processes. The knowledge required is broad but not deep, making it ideal for those new to AI or working in non-technical roles.
- AI Specialist: This certification dives deeper into the practical application of Salesforce AI tools. It covers advanced AI concepts, such as deploying generative AI in CRM applications, configuring custom AI models, and using tools like the Einstein Copilot and Prompt Builder. It requires a higher level of technical expertise and experience, making it suitable for individuals in more advanced roles like AI developers or engineers.
2. Target Audience and Career Path
- AI Associate: This certification is aimed at beginners or professionals in non-technical roles who want to understand how AI integrates with Salesforce. It’s a stepping stone for roles like AI analysts, Salesforce admins, or business leaders who need to grasp AI’s potential without deep technical skills. It prepares you for entry-level positions or for those working closely with AI without necessarily building or deploying it.
- AI Specialist: Geared towards those in technical roles or with prior AI experience, this certification is for professionals actively involved in AI deployment. It’s ideal for AI engineers, data scientists, or developers who want to customize and fine-tune Salesforce AI solutions. This certification can lead to higher-level roles involving AI customization, AI model development, and advanced AI integrations within organizations.
3. Practical Application and Hands-on Experience
- AI Associate: The hands-on components in the AI Associate certification are limited to basic concepts and understanding how AI integrates within Salesforce’s CRM functionalities. While there is exposure to AI tools, the practical application is more conceptual rather than focused on actual deployment.
- AI Specialist: The AI Specialist certification heavily emphasizes practical, hands-on experience with Salesforce’s advanced AI tools. Candidates are required to understand and execute real-world scenarios such as building prompt templates, configuring the Einstein Trust Layer, and deploying custom AI models. This certification tests not only your theoretical knowledge but also your ability to implement AI solutions within a business environment.
4. Focus on AI Ethics vs. AI Customization
- AI Associate: A significant portion (39%) of the AI Associate exam is dedicated to ethical considerations, including Salesforce’s Trusted AI Principles. The certification stresses the importance of using AI responsibly, ensuring data transparency, and preventing biases in AI models. The emphasis is on understanding how to use AI ethically rather than on building or customizing AI solutions.
- AI Specialist: While ethics and responsible AI use are important, the AI Specialist certification focuses more on customizing and implementing AI solutions. It covers advanced topics like building tailored AI solutions using the Prompt Builder, Einstein Copilot, and Model Builder. The aim is to help professionals optimize AI to meet specific business needs rather than focusing on ethical dilemmas.
5. Salesforce AI Tools Proficiency
- AI Associate: The Associate-level certification introduces basic Salesforce AI capabilities, such as understanding how AI is embedded within the Salesforce platform, particularly in CRM functionalities. It familiarizes candidates with common AI tools like predictive analytics and chatbots, but the certification doesn’t require deep proficiency in Salesforce’s AI tools.
- AI Specialist: This certification requires a much more in-depth understanding of Salesforce AI tools. You need to be proficient in advanced tools like Einstein Trust Layer, Generative AI, Prompt Builder, and Einstein Copilot. The Specialist certification equips you with the ability to customize and optimize these tools to meet specific organizational needs, making you an expert in Salesforce AI deployments.
Which Certification is Right for You?
- AI Associate: Ideal for beginners or professionals in non-technical roles. If you’re new to AI or want a foundational understanding of how AI integrates with Salesforce CRM, this certification is a great starting point. It prepares you for entry-level roles like AI analyst or Salesforce admin.
- AI Specialist: Designed for individuals with technical expertise or experience in AI. This certification is best for professionals aiming for advanced roles such as AI developer or data scientist, focusing on customizing and deploying Salesforce’s AI tools.
Choose AI Associate if you’re starting your AI journey. Opt for AI Specialist if you’re ready for advanced technical roles and deep AI integration within Salesforce.
End Note
Both the AI Associate and AI Specialist certifications offer incredible opportunities to boost your career in Salesforce AI. Whether you’re just starting or ready to dive deeper into AI technologies, choosing the right certification can pave the way for exciting new roles and growth.
If you’re ready to grow your AI skills, connect with saasguru today! With a free trial, you’ll get hands-on experience through 30+ Salesforce Certification Courses, 50+ Mock Exams, and 50+ Salesforce Labs. It’s a practical way to level up at your own pace.
Get started today and see where it takes you!
FAQs
1. How does the Salesforce AI Specialist differ from the AI Associate?
The AI Specialist is for advanced professionals, focusing on customizing and deploying AI solutions, while the AI Associate is for beginners, covering AI fundamentals and its integration in Salesforce.
2. Is the Salesforce AI Associate certification valuable?
Yes, it’s a great starting point for professionals new to AI, offering foundational knowledge and opening doors to entry-level AI roles.
3. What does the AI Associate certification cover in Salesforce?
It covers the basics of AI, its role in CRM, ethical AI practices, and the importance of high-quality data for AI models.
