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Gates: 3-Day Work Week "Probably OK" in AI-Powered Future
Billionaire says machines could produce goods while reducing human workload
Osama Khalid
November 27, 2023
• Bill Gates speculated that artificial intelligence could one day enable a widespread 3-day work week.
• With machines potentially handling increased production, Gates believes the workload for humans could be reduced.
• Other leaders like Jamie Dimon also foresee AI driving major gains more free time.
AI 3-day workweek
Bill Gates believes artificial intelligence could one day enable a 3-day work week, with humans needing to work less thanks to the automated production of goods and services.
In a recent podcast interview, the Microsoft co-founder said an AI-powered society where "machines can make all the food and stuff" could allow people to work just Monday through Wednesday without losing living standards.
Potential of AI
While acknowledging AI's potential risks if misused, Gates struck an optimistic tone about machines taking over certain jobs to reduce the overall workload for humanity.
He compared this possible shift to the transformation in office work decades following the personal computer revolution, which changed tasks forever but did not eliminate jobs.
Jamie Dimon agrees
Gates is not alone among business leaders speculating about shorter work weeks in an AI-centric future.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon also forecasted the next generation may have just a 3.5-day week, given technological advancements that could vastly improve productivity.
More time for other endeavours?
In Gates' vision, a world leveraging the benefits of AI could mean less grinding work for human beings and more time for other endeavours beyond jobs and income.
For the founder who once viewed sleep as lazy during Microsoft's early days, Future may offer a more enlightened perspective on work-life balance.
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