Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI lead, has made bold predictions about the future of work, suggesting that many office jobs, particularly those involving expert roles such as lawyers, accountants, and project managers, could be fully automated within the next 12 to 18 months due to advancements in artificial intelligence. In an interview with Financial Times editor Roula Khalaf, Suleyman emphasized the role of AI in reshaping these positions, pertaining to skills that predominantly involve computer work.

However, not all experts agree with Suleyman's optimistic forecast. Assistant Professor Joonas Tuhkuri from Stockholm University challenged the notion that a large-scale automation of office work would happen so soon, highlighting the unpredictability of AI's impact on job markets. Tuhkuri noted that discussions about imminent job loss due to AI generally lack certainty, particularly for the near future, and suggested that widespread displacement of workers is unlikely in the next year to one and a half.

This debate between Suleyman and Tuhkuri underscores a significant tension in the conversation about AI's role in the economy. On one hand, there is a push for recognizing the transformative capabilities of AI technologies. On the other hand, there is a cautious stance that emphasizes the complexities of labor market dynamics and the necessary adaptations that both businesses and workers will need to make in response to evolving technology in the workplace.