In a stark warning that could reshape the future of work, Microsoft’s Artificial Intelligence chief Mustafa Suleyman has predicted that within the next 12 to 18 months, the majority of white-collar office tasks performed on computers will be handled by AI. Speaking to the Financial Times, Suleyman revealed Microsoft’s ambitious push to develop ‘professional-grade AGI’ – advanced systems capable of executing the bulk of jobs held by lawyers, accountants, project managers, and marketing professionals.
This isn’t just about speeding up mundane chores anymore. Suleyman emphasized that AI will fully automate these roles, potentially slashing the need for human workers in these areas. ‘White-collar work where you sit at a computer – whether you’re a lawyer, accountant, project manager, or in marketing – most of that will be fully automated by AI within the next 12 to 18 months,’ he stated bluntly.
Microsoft’s strategy focuses on easing corporate workloads by creating AI that tackles repetitive, daily tasks autonomously. This could enable companies to operate with leaner teams, boosting efficiency across industries. To reduce reliance on external partners like OpenAI, Microsoft is ramping up its own AI model development following a recent agreement between the two.
Suleyman envisions a future where building custom AI models becomes as straightforward as producing a podcast or writing a blog. Individuals and organizations could soon craft tailored AI systems to meet specific needs, democratizing advanced technology.
The ripple effects are already visible. Oracle is planning to cut between 20,000 and 30,000 jobs to fuel expansion of its AI data centers, while Amazon has announced 16,000 layoffs as part of its AI initiatives. In India, PwC estimates AI could inject $550 billion into the economy by 2035, spanning agriculture, education, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The Indian government launched the India AI Mission in 2024 with $1.2 billion in funding, aiming to provide computing resources, data, and AI training to the public and institutions. As AI accelerates, the question remains: will job losses outpace new opportunities, or will this spark a renaissance in human creativity and innovation?