Accounting work could be fully automated within 18 months, Microsoft AI chief predicts

Accounting work could be fully automated within 18 months, Microsoft AI chief predicts

https://www.accountantsdaily.com.au/technology/22191-accounting-work-could-be-fully-automated-within-18-months-microsoft-ai-chief-predicts

Publish Date: 2026-03-01 14:07:00

Source Domain: www.accountantsdaily.com.au

Here’s a summary of the article with 6 key points, presented as an unordered list:

  • AI Adoption Speed: AI is being adopted at a fast and unprecedented pace, signaling a rapid transformation of the job market.
  • Threat to White-Collar Jobs: Microsoft’s AI chief, Mustafa Suleyman, warns that within 12 to 18 months, AI may match and surpass human performance in most professional roles, threatening white-collar jobs.
  • Impact on Professions: Suleyman specifically highlights that roles such as lawyers, accountants, managers, and marketing professionals are most at risk of full automation by AI.
  • Current AI Usage in Software Engineering: AI-assisted coding is already widely used in software engineering, illustrating how quickly AI tools are transforming coding practices.
  • Industry Adaptation: Accountants in Australia are increasingly confident in the use of AI despite a general wariness about replacing human workers with technology.
  • Long-Term Competitiveness: An industry body has cautioned that replacing human workers with AI in the accounting sector could undermine long-term competitiveness, though many believe AI will benefit entry-level roles.

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