The accelerating pace of artificial intelligence development throughout 2025 has amplified discussions about the future of work, prompting both apprehension and optimism. While concerns mount over potential job displacement in entry-level roles and the escalating energy demands of vast data centers, a compelling counter-narrative suggests AI could revolutionize productivity to such an extent that the conventional five-day, 9-to-5 workweek might soon become obsolete. This idea is not merely a wish from a burned-out workforce; it is a sentiment echoed by some of the most influential figures in global business and technology.
Prominent leaders have begun publicly speculating on a significantly truncated work schedule. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has suggested that technological advancements could eventually reduce the workweek to a mere three-and-a-half days. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has explored an even more radical possibility, openly questioning whether a two-day workweek could become the norm. Pushing the boundaries of this vision further, Elon Musk has posited that the necessity of work itself could largely disappear, predicting that within 10 to 20 years, AI and robotics could make working an optional pursuit for many.
These projections collectively indicate that a shorter workweek is transitioning from a theoretical concept to a tangible possibility. Governments and various companies are already experimenting with reduced schedules. The metropolitan government in Tokyo, for instance, now permits its employees to work four days a week. In the United States, some businesses have implemented flexible Fridays, moving away from mandatory attendance. Exos, a performance coaching firm, reported that this shift has not only boosted productivity but also effectively prepared employees for the start of the following week.
The continued rise in productivity, largely fueled by automation and artificial intelligence, is expected to intensify these scheduling experiments. This trend could reignite broader conversations about how individuals can thrive in an economy where human labor might no longer be the primary driver of growth. Dimon, a vocal observer of AI’s impact on finance and the wider economy, acknowledges potential short-term disruptions and job displacement. However, he maintains that technological progress has historically improved living standards and believes AI will follow this pattern. He has encouraged a long-term perspective, noting that technology consistently replaces jobs but ultimately leads to advancements like longer lifespans and reduced workweeks for future generations.
Bill Gates, a pivotal figure in the personal computer revolution, has consistently highlighted how AI could drastically reduce the human labor required across various sectors. During a television appearance, he noted that rapid advancements in AI suggest humans may soon be unnecessary for “most things,” necessitating a fundamental reevaluation of the workplace. He specifically asked whether people might eventually work just two or three days a week, a concept he had previously introduced in 2023, even as ChatGPT was in its early stages. This suggests a broader societal discussion about how individuals might use their increased leisure time.
While many leaders foresee a future with less work, Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, offers a slightly different perspective. Though he believes AI will impact nearly every job, he appears less convinced about its immediate effect on the work schedule. Huang has suggested that technological innovation could “probably” lead to a four-day workweek. However, he also believes new developments will make employees busier than ever, a view perhaps influenced by his own demanding schedule, which reportedly involves starting work at 4 a.m. seven days a week. Meanwhile, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan has joined the chorus, arguing that AI-enabled automation could soon render five-day workweeks obsolete. Yuan believes that if AI can enhance overall quality of life, then a three or four-day workweek should become a standard supported by companies, freeing up everyone’s time.
Elon Musk’s vision remains the most expansive, predicting a post-work future where AI and robotics eliminate scarcity, fundamentally redefining wealth. He has asserted that poverty will cease to exist, making saving money unnecessary, and that a “universal high income” will become the norm. In this scenario, the need to work in an office would vanish, rendering geographical location irrelevant. Living near major cities or in remote areas would become entirely a matter of personal choice, reflecting a future where individual desires dictate lifestyle more than economic necessity.
