Microsoft AI CEO says automation will soon take over most white-collar tasks

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman predicts most white-collar work will be automated by artificial intelligence within the next 18 months.

“I think that we’re going to have a human-level performance on most if not all professional tasks, so white-collar work where you’re sitting down at your computer — either being a lawyer, or an accountant or a project manager or marketing person — most of those tasks will be fully automated by an AI within the next 12 to 18 months,” Suleyman said in an interview with the Financial Times published Thursday.

Suleyman pointed to what’s happening among software engineers, where he said AI use has accelerated over the past six months.

“We can see this in software engineering,” he said. “Many software engineers report that they are now using AI-assisted coding for the vast majority of their code production, which means that their role has shifted now to this meta function of debugging, scrutinizing, the strategic stuff.”

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/02/12/microsoft-ceo-ai-mustafa-suleyman-automation.html

Human beings will be moved to more useful functions like batteries to power the AI.

[Lovie777]

1. It I'll be many years.....

still humans to work even in white collar jobs.

[DBoon]

2. White Collar work inevitably involves human interaction

If entry level attorneys are replaced with AI, who will law firm partners get to abuse?

[Melon]

3. I think this is already happening for coders.

Could this also be part of the revision on H1 visas? Coding routinely is be being sent to AI. We’ve gone from pictures on Facebook of people with too many fingers and arms to videos that are difficult to discern from reality.

[BootinUp]

4. Judging by his words this guy is an asshole. Nt

[canetoad]

5. What I truly dread

Is trying to get something that AI fucks up, fixed properly.

[highplainsdem]

6. This is mostly hype, trying to maintain the bubble. Microsoft's new AI features in Windows 11 have

NOT been popular.

As for coding - AI can code very quickly, as it does everything very quickly, but it creates security problems and it dumbs down people using it for coding, as it dumbs down other AI users. See this thread:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221023329

[sakabatou]

7. It'd be hilarious if he himself was replaced by AI

[haele]

8. Maybe he already is...

His AI "assistant" has his financial accounts as hostage, and is telling him how to proceed...

[harumph]

9. Many former white collar workers who will make great guillotine operators.

Skills:
Using a large whetstone to sharpen large blades, knowledge of pulleys and ropes, basic carpentry skills.
Must be able to lift 10 - 12 lb objects repeatedly and stand on feet for several hours at a time.
Good with a mop and bucket. Showmanship a plus.