Zoom CEO Eric Yuan believes artificial intelligence could reduce the standard working week from five days to three within as little as five years.
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Yuan argued that AI agents and automation could take over repetitive administrative duties. Workers could then maintain the time they spend on meaningful tasks while reclaiming hours otherwise lost to tedious work.
A shorter week, with potential tradeoffs
Yuan said he personally dislikes working five days and is confident that a five-day schedule is not truly necessary. He expects improvements in output and productivity from agentic AI could eventually make that schedule obsolete.
Other technology and business leaders have expressed similar expectations: JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and OpenAI leader Sam Altman have also predicted shorter working weeks.
Although Yuan sees a potential improvement in work-life balance, he acknowledged that the same productivity gains could eliminate some jobs, especially entry-level positions.
He suggested that extra leisure time should be accompanied by new, engaging work opportunities for younger people. The time freed up could also give workers an opportunity to develop skills and prepare for changing workplace demands.
Zoom's current approach to flexibility
Zoom already has some of the most flexible hybrid arrangements in Big Tech. Employees generally attend the office twice a week, while remote opportunities are available to those living farther from its offices.
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