Mustafa Suleyman, head of artificial intelligence at Microsoft, has cautioned that a significant portion of white-collar roles may be automated within the next 12 to 18 months as AI capabilities accelerate. In an interview with the Financial Times, he said desk-based professions such as legal services, accounting, project management and marketing are particularly exposed to rapid automation driven by advanced AI systems.
According to Suleyman, the shift will extend far beyond routine productivity enhancements. He pointed to the fast development of AI agents capable of executing multi-step assignments, including drafting contracts, reviewing financial data and coordinating complex organisational tasks. These systems, he suggested, are evolving toward managing substantial parts of business workflows with limited human intervention.
Microsoft is also seeking to expand its presence in the enterprise segment through what Suleyman described as “professional-grade AGI.” The company believes next-generation AI systems will play a central role in corporate infrastructure, offering more autonomous and scalable solutions for businesses.
He further noted that the barriers to creating customised AI models are declining rapidly. In the near future, developing a specialised AI model could become as straightforward as starting a blog or podcast, enabling tailored AI solutions for institutions and individuals worldwide. Suleyman indicated that new AI models from Microsoft may be introduced in 2026 as part of the company’s broader push toward greater AI self-sufficiency.
