Microsoft’s AI chief Mustafa Suleyman’s stark warning signals an imminent transformation in white-collar work. Within the next 18 months, automation driven by advanced AI is poised to reshape sectors including legal, accounting, marketing, and other professional services. This rapid shift compels leaders to reevaluate operational models, talent strategies, and technology investments proactively.

The core driver here is the maturation of large-language models and automation tools tha...