The use of artificial intelligence (AI) could enable 28% of workers in the US and the UK to reduce their hours of work to a four-day week, two studies found.

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AI could let 35 million US workers, or 28% of the workforce, change to a four-day week in the next 10 years, said a study by the research group Autonomy.

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It also said 71% of US workers could reduce their hours by at least 10% if companies use AI systems, such as ChatGPT, to create more free time for employees.

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A similar Autonomy study in the UK found that using AI systems could also enable 28% of workers there, or 8.8 million people, to change from a five-day week to a four-day week.

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In the UK, AI systems could help 88% of workers reduce their working hours by at least 10%, Autonomy said.

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"Our research offers a fresh perspective in debates around how AI can be utilized for good," said Will Stronge, Autonomy's head of research.

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A shorter working week is the best way to make sure AI helps both workers and companies, Stronge said.

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"If AI is to be implemented fairly across the economy, it should usher in a new era of four-day working weeks for all," he said.

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A global survey of 800 companies by the World Economic Forum found that about 75% of companies plan to use AI.

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Tech billionaire Elon Musk has said that in the future people will still be able to have jobs if they want them, "but AI will be able to do everything."

 

"We will have something that is, for the first time, smarter than the smartest human," Musk said.