Eric Yuan, CEO of Zoom Video Communications, believes artificial intelligence (AI) could significantly reduce the traditional workweek in the coming years. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Yuan said he does not think people will need to work five days a week in the future because AI agents will handle many routine office tasks.
AI Agents to Replace Routine Tasks
“I really do not think we need to work for five days because literally, we all will employ so many digital agents,” Yuan said. He added that AI tools could take over repetitive work such as emails and meetings, allowing employees to spend less time working while maintaining productivity. Yuan also admitted, “I hate working five days.”
Historical Comparison to Industrial Revolution
During the interview, Eric Yuan compared the rise of AI agents to earlier industrial changes such as Henry Ford’s assembly line, which helped reduce the workweek from six days to five. According to him, AI could now drive another major shift by automating everyday office work. He said people may eventually use thousands of digital AI agents to manage different parts of their jobs.
Yuan has already experimented with the technology himself by using an AI-generated version of himself during part of an earnings call last year. He clarified that he was not suggesting people would stop working completely. Instead, he believes AI could give people more free time while still allowing them to explore new ideas and meaningful work. “We can enjoy the beach time, but we want the kids [to] still find something new, exciting to work [on],” he said.
Support from Other Tech Leaders
The discussion around shorter workweeks has also gained support from other technology and business leaders. OpenAI recently suggested that companies and unions should test four-day workweeks without reducing employee pay. The company said productivity and service quality could remain stable even with fewer working hours.
Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has also spoken about shorter workweeks in the future. Earlier this year, he said future generations may work only three-and-a-half days a week as AI improves productivity.
This vision of a shorter workweek driven by AI is gaining traction among industry leaders, who see it as a natural progression of technological advancement. While some may worry about job displacement, proponents argue that AI will free up human creativity and innovation, leading to a better work-life balance.
