'I think we’re going to have a human-level performance on most, if not all, professional tasks': Microsoft AI chief thinks AI will replace most white-collar work in the 12 to 18 months - so is this the end for human workers? (www.techradar.com)

In a recent YouTube interview with the Financial Times, Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI chief, projected that AI technologies could achieve human-level performance in most white-collar jobs within the next 12 to 18 months. He described this significant leap as part of Microsoft's evolution towards "artificial capable intelligence," a step closer to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Suleyman highlighted jobs such as law, accounting, project management, and marketing as particularly susceptible to automation, emphasizing the potential for AI to perform these tasks more efficiently. This announcement resonates amidst a growing trend among tech leaders who foresee the profound impact of AI on the workforce. Suleyman's predictions align with concerns raised by others in the industry, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who warned that the automation of entry-level positions could lead to a 20% unemployment rate within the next few years. The implications are profound, as Suleyman posits that the creation of millions of specialized AI models tailored to individual needs will redefine work structures globally. This shift could both augment productivity and disrupt traditional employment practices, raising critical questions about the future of work in an AI-driven economy.