Bill Gates Predicts AI Could Enable a 2-Day Work Week Within a Decade

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, is sharing his intriguing ideas once again, this time focusing on how artificial intelligence could reshape our work weeks. Talking to Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, Gates speculated that AI might enable us to enjoy a two-day workweek in the future. He asked a thought-provoking question: “What will jobs be like? Should we just work like 2 or 3 days a week?”

While some professionals might be worried about job security, the prospect of shorter workweeks offers some alluring benefits. When I consulted Microsoft Copilot about this, the advantages were pleasantly surprising and heavily outweighed the negatives:

A shorter workweek could greatly improve work-life balance. People often find they have more time for personal interests, family activities, and just kicking back, which boosts overall satisfaction. Productivity can also see an uptick; studies suggest that having fewer workdays can enhance focus and efficiency during the hours we do work. Plus, having more days off generally benefits mental health, reducing stress and preventing burnout. Not to mention, the savings on commuting and childcare add up. And there’s a bonus environmental impact: with fewer days spent driving or running large office facilities, we could see a notable reduction in energy use.

Gates isn’t new to proposing a shorter workweek, especially with the rise of AI. Just last year, he floated the idea that AI might help transition us to a three-day workweek by taking over routine tasks, freeing up time for more meaningful pursuits. Among these tasks could be chores like cooking, suggesting that we might not need to stick to the traditional five-day grind. Gates even voiced some apprehension, pondering whether AI might one day be sophisticated enough to take over his own job.

Recently, Gates stirred up a lot of discussions online about AI’s potential to replace humans in many jobs. He hinted that many professions could become obsolete as AI continues to evolve. He surprisingly suggested that within a decade, roles like doctors and teachers might be among the first to go. Yet, Gates pointed out that jobs for biologists, energy experts, and coders would likely survive this AI wave. In the realm of software development, human expertise remains essential for tasks like correcting errors and improving algorithms. As for the energy sector, Gates argues it’s simply too complex to be entirely handed over to AI.