TLDRs;
- Zoom CEO Eric Yuan predicts AI could enable three- or four-day workweeks by automating routine tasks.
- Leaders like Bill Gates and Jamie Dimon echo similar beliefs, suggesting AI will reshape traditional job structures.
- While AI may eliminate some jobs, new roles in engineering, compliance, and system management are expected to emerge.
- The success of shorter workweeks depends on productivity gains, corporate trust in AI, and large-scale adoption.
The debate over the future of work has taken a new turn, as Zoom CEO Eric Yuan suggested that artificial intelligence (AI) could pave the way for a three- or four-day workweek.
In his view, the technology’s ability to automate tasks and boost efficiency could free up significant time for employees, but not without trade-offs, particularly job losses in certain sectors.
Yuan, speaking in a recent interview, emphasized that while some traditional roles may disappear, new opportunities will likely emerge as AI becomes more advanced. He noted that engineers, AI trainers, and specialists capable of managing digital systems could see fresh avenues for employment.
“Every company will support three days, four days a week,” Yuan said, predicting a fundamental shift in how organizations structure work.
AI Could Reshape Work Schedules
The idea of a shortened workweek has floated in business circles for years, with trial runs in countries such as Iceland and Belgium showing promising results in productivity and employee satisfaction.
In the U.S., however, the concept has remained largely experimental, often overshadowed by strict return-to-office mandates.
Now, with AI moving deeper into the workplace, Yuan believes the momentum for a four-day week could finally gather steam. He joins a growing chorus of tech leaders, including Bill Gates, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, and JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon, who all foresee AI creating the conditions for shorter workweeks.
Industry Leaders Share Bold Predictions
Bill Gates recently told The Tonight Show that within the next decade, humans may no longer need to perform “most things,” thanks to AI. Dimon, known for overseeing a notoriously high-pressure banking culture, also surprised many by predicting AI could lead to 3.5-day workweeks.
These bold statements highlight a widening belief that automation will do more than just make workplaces efficient, it could fundamentally restructure the very rhythm of work.
Job Losses and New Roles Emerging
Despite the optimistic vision, Yuan acknowledged the reality of job displacement. Entry-level positions, in particular, may face disruption as AI systems prove capable of handling repetitive tasks, from customer support to basic administrative work.
But he also struck a hopeful note, suggesting that as older roles vanish, entirely new ones will arise. AI engineers, compliance experts, and digital ethicists could become crucial parts of tomorrow’s workforce.
The challenge, however, lies in ensuring workers are equipped with the training and skills to transition into these new roles.
Trust in AI Still a Major Hurdle
Even if AI proves capable of saving time, its adoption at scale is far from guaranteed. Many executives remain hesitant to hand over core business functions to algorithms, particularly when studies on AI productivity have delivered mixed results.
According to Tech.co’s 2025 Impact of Technology on the Workplace report, 38% of senior leaders are now open to exploring a four-day week, a sharp rise from 23% last year. Still, real progress will require both trust in AI systems and evidence that automation can consistently deliver measurable efficiency gains.
For now, the prospect of a shorter workweek remains aspirational. But as AI tools continue to evolve and embed themselves into daily workflows, Yuan’s prediction may prove less far-fetched than it sounds.
