AI To Replace White-Collar Jobs: Microsoft AI Chief Mustafa Suleyman Predicts Job Automation Within 12 to 18 Months
Publish Date: 2026-02-13 04:56:00
Source Domain: www.latestly.com
Mumbai, February 13: Microsoft’s head of artificial intelligence, Mustafa Suleyman, has issued a significant warning regarding the rapid evolution of automation, suggesting that most white-collar roles reliant on computers could be fully automated within the next 12 to 18 months. The company is currently racing to develop what it terms “professional-grade AGI” (Artificial General Intelligence), designed to perform nearly every task a human professional can manage. This shift marks a move beyond simple productivity gains toward a structural displacement of roles in knowledge-based sectors.
The technological leap aims to automate the majority of work currently handled by lawyers, accountants, project managers, and marketers. According to Suleyman, Microsoft’s strategy involves capturing a larger share of the enterprise market by targeting routine and repeatable tasks such as document drafting, data analysis, and project coordination. This transition is expected to transform how institutions operate, with Suleyman noting that creating new AI models will soon be as simple as writing a blog or recording a podcast. Tech Layoffs 2026: Amazon, Citi, Pinterest and Others Reduce Workforce by Laying Off Thousands of Employees.
Microsoft Professional-Grade AGI Features and Corporate Strategy
In an interview with the Financial Times, Suleyman detailed that the upcoming AI systems will be capable of performing complex professional duties. Microsoft plans to increase its own AI model production to reduce its current reliance on OpenAI, following a revised agreement between the two firms. This move allows the tech giant to offer tailored AI solutions that individuals and corporations can design for specific needs. However, the advancement comes amid a broader industry trend of workforce reduction, as Oracle reportedly plans to cut 20,000 to 30,000 jobs to expand its AI data centre capacity, while Amazon recently announced 16,000 layoffs as part of…
