During an appearance on Trevor Noah's "What Now?" podcast, Gates expressed his vision of a future where AI-driven productivity gains could lead to a three-day workweek12. He suggested that if machines can handle essential tasks like food production, society might evolve to a point where working just three days a week is sufficient3. This perspective reflects Gates' belief that the purpose of life extends beyond work, emphasizing the potential for increased leisure time and the need to find meaningful ways to use it4.

• Gates views this transition as potentially positive if it occurs at a manageable pace with proper government support2.

• He envisions AI freeing up human labor for socially beneficial tasks, such as improving elder care and reducing class sizes4.

• This outlook represents a shift from Gates' earlier career mindset, where he was "very monomaniacal" about work from ages 18 to 402.

Artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize the workplace by enhancing productivity and efficiency. Gates envisions AI taking over mundane daily tasks, potentially leading to a society where humans work significantly less12. This transformation is not seen as job displacement, but rather as a shift in the nature of work, comparable to the impact of personal computers on office work3. Gates emphasizes that freed-up human labor could be redirected towards addressing societal needs, such as improving elder care and reducing class sizes in education4.

• AI is expected to handle repetitive tasks, allowing humans to focus on more creative and socially beneficial work.

• The transition to AI-assisted work environments could lead to increased leisure time, prompting a need to redefine the purpose of life beyond traditional job roles5.

• Gates' perspective represents a departure from fears of AI-induced unemployment, instead painting a picture of a tech-enhanced future with more balanced work-life integration1.

While optimistic about AI's potential, Gates acknowledges the risks associated with its rapid development and implementation. He emphasizes the importance of managing the transition to an AI-enhanced workforce at a reasonable pace, with governments playing a crucial role in supporting workers as they adapt to new technologies1. Gates also recognizes concerns about AI being used for malicious purposes, such as creating deepfakes and facilitating cyberattacks1. To address these challenges, he advocates for:

• Establishing "rules of the road" to ensure AI's benefits outweigh potential downsides2

• Providing adequate support and training for workers to acquire new skills

• Ensuring AI technologies are accessible to low-income countries and marginalized communities3

• Balancing the pursuit of AI advancements with careful consideration of ethical implications and societal impacts

While Gates' vision of a three-day workweek remains futuristic, some companies and countries are already experimenting with shorter work schedules. In Iceland, a successful trial of a four-day workweek between 2015 and 2019 led to nearly 90% of the workforce gaining the right to request reduced hours1. Japan's government has recommended that companies allow employees to opt for a four-day workweek, and some major employers like Samsung have started giving staff one Friday off each month1. Additionally, successful trials in the UK have prompted 56 out of 61 participating companies to continue with a four-day workweek after the pilot program2. These trends suggest a growing acceptance of alternative work schedules, paving the way for potentially more dramatic shifts in the future.