Zoom chief executive Eric Yuan has endorsed predictions by tech leaders like Bill Gates, forecasting that artificial intelligence could reduce the traditional five-day workweek to three or four days, transforming workplace dynamics and freeing up time for employees.

In a 17 September 2025 interview with The New York Times, Yuan argued that AI’s efficiency gains could make shorter workweeks feasible, stating, “If AI can make all of people's lives better, why do they need to work for five days a week?” He suggested that companies would increasingly adopt flexible schedules, creating new roles to manage AI systems while potentially displacing entry-level positions like junior engineers. “Whenever there’s a technology paradigm shift, some job opportunities are gone, but it will create some new opportunities,” Yuan added.

The comments align with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates’ 2023 remarks on a podcast with Trevor Noah, where he suggested a three-day workweek could be acceptable. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, however, cautioned that reduced workweeks might intensify task demands. Conversely, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned of significant white-collar job losses, while Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis predicted AI could usher in a “golden era” of abundance by the next decade.

The debate reflects growing discourse on AI’s impact, with concerns over job displacement balanced against prospects for innovation and productivity. Yuan’s vision underscores the need for oversight of AI systems, suggesting a shift toward managing digital agents as a new employment frontier.