The traditional five-day workweek might soon become obsolete as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes how and when people work. Zoom CEO Eric Yuan has joined tech industry leaders in predicting that AI automation could cut the standard work schedule to three or four days per week. But this transformation might come at the cost of significant job displacement.
“Every company will support three days, four days a week,” Yuan told The New York Times in a recent interview. “I think this ultimately frees up everyone’s time.” His remarks highlight AI’s potential to boost productivity and improve work-life balance. It also underscores the risks of creating unprecedented disruption in traditional employment models.
Productivity gains could end the five-day workweek
AI’s ability to automate tasks and accelerate workflow has fueled speculation about shorter workweeks for years. Tech leaders from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang have argued that a five-day schedule might no longer be necessary once AI achieves greater efficiency and widespread adoption. Gates has specifically suggested that future workers might only need to clock in “two or three days a week.”
Yuan emphasized that the shift represents a fundamental change in work structure rather than simply reducing effort. With AI agents now capable of writing code, generating reports, and managing administrative tasks, companies can redirect human talent toward innovation, strategy, and creative problem-solving.
Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index supports this transformation, documenting the emergence of an “infinite workday” where traditional boundaries have eroded. For many, the day starts before they even get out of bed. The research reveals that by 6 a.m., 40% of Microsoft 365 users are already checking their email to set priorities. AI tools help workers streamline tasks and boost productivity.
Yet not all executives are optimistic about reduced schedules. Huang has cautioned that while AI could shorten the calendar week, work intensity may increase, warning, “We are going to be busier in the future than now.”
Job losses and new roles in an AI economy
Despite promising enhanced work-life balance, Yuan admitted significant challenges ahead: job displacement. Entry-level positions, particularly in engineering and administrative roles, are highly vulnerable. While AI can write code and generate digital agents, skilled workers remain necessary to manage and supervise these tools.
This view reflects a broader consensus among business leaders. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has predicted that AI will deliver job displacement and enhanced quality of life, potentially enabling workweeks averaging “three and a half days” while extending human lifespans and improving overall well-being.
The transformation mirrors historical industrial revolutions. While some roles disappear, new ones emerge to manage disruptive technologies. For today’s workforce, the message is clear: AI might usher in the three-day workweek, but success will require continuous adaptation and reskilling to remain relevant in an automated economy.
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Okemwa, K. (2025, September 19). Zoom CEO Envisions a 3-Day Workweek with AI, but Entry-Level Jobs Could Suffer. Windows Central. Retrieved September 24, 2025, from https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/zoom-ceo-ai-could-enable-3-day-workweek
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