Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI at Microsoft, said in a recent interview with the Financial Times that artificial intelligence could automate most professional computer-based tasks within the next 12 to 18 months.

Suleyman predicted human-level performance on most professional work, including accounting, legal services, marketing, and project management. He said jobs that involve sitting at a computer are especially vulnerable. His comments align with recent warnings from AI researcher Matt Shumer and Sam Altman of OpenAI, who have both described rapid AI progress as potentially disruptive.

Earlier this year, Dario Amodei of Anthropic warned that AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar roles. Jim Farley of Ford Motor Company said AI might cut US white-collar jobs in half. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Elon Musk of SpaceX said artificial general intelligence could arrive as early as this year.

Current Impact Remains Limited

Despite these forecasts, AI adoption in professional services has so far produced modest results. A 2025 report from Thomson Reuters found lawyers, accountants, and auditors using AI for targeted tasks such as document review and routine analysis. Productivity gains were described as marginal and did not indicate widespread job displacement.

In some cases, AI has reduced efficiency. A study from nonprofit Model Evaluation and Threat Research found that software developers took 20% longer to complete tasks when using AI tools.

Economic gains appear concentrated in the technology sector. Research from Torsten Slok, chief economist at Apollo Global Management, showed Big Tech profit margins rising more than 20 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. By contrast, the broader Bloomberg 500 Index showed little change. Slok also cited Wall Street expectations for the S and P 500, noting investors do not anticipate higher earnings from AI outside the tech sector.

Job Cuts

There are early signs of workforce impact. Employment consultancy Challenger, Gray, and Christmas reported about 55,000 AI-related job cuts in 2025. Microsoft eliminated 15,000 roles last year, although it did not attribute the reductions directly to AI. In a July memo, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the company needed to reimagine its mission for a new era.

Markets have reacted sharply to AI developments. Software stocks recently declined amid fears of automation in the software as a service sector, a selloff some analysts labeled the SaaSpocalypse. The downturn followed announcements from Anthropic and OpenAI about agentic AI systems designed to handle functions traditionally performed by SaaS companies.

Wateen Telecom, Pakistan’s leading ICT and digital solutions provider, has entered into a strategic partnership with Akhuwat Foundation, a non-profit organization and one of Pakistan’s most distinguished microfinance institutions, to architect and implement an Agentic AI-powered, Smart Loan Automation platform that will establish a new standard for interest-free microfinance across the country.

The partnership contract was officially signed by Dr. Kamran Shams, CEO, Akhuwat Foundation, and Mr. Adil Rashid, CEO, Wateen Telecom. Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib­­­­­, Founder, Akhuwat Foundation, was also present at the ceremony along with senior representatives from both organizations.

Built on a shared commitment to purpose-led innovation, the collaboration brings together Wateen’s extensive expertise in advanced AI engineering, workflow intelligence, enterprise system architecture, and large-scale digital solutions with Akhuwat Foundation’s mission to expand financial inclusion with dignity and compassion. The Smart Loan Automation platform will support Akhuwat’s digital transformation journey and strengthen operations across the lending lifecycle.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib­­­­­, Founder, Akhuwat Foundation, stated: “At Akhuwat Foundation, we believe that to serve more people effectively, our systems must evolve alongside our mission. By collaborating with Wateen, we are taking a meaningful step toward setting a new standard in the microfinance sector. This platform is designed to improve transparency and decision accuracy across the lending lifecycle, so that more people can have access with ease and confidence.”

Mr. Adil Rashid, CEO, Wateen Telecom, also shared his thoughts: “Wateen has always believed in anchoring technology with purpose to build a more digitized and empowered Pakistan. This partnership with the Akhuwat Foundation reflects our shared commitment to digital transformation. Together, we will shape a future-ready microfinance ecosystem that not only expands equitable access to financial services but also strengthens communities across Pakistan.”

Over the years, Akhuwat Foundation’s work has reached millions of individuals and families, contributing to greater economic resilience and social stability. Through the Smart Loan Automation platform, the foundation is further strengthening its ability to support inclusive financial access and advance long-term national economic progress.

This partnership further cements Wateen as a leading provider of enterprise-grade digital transformation solutions that fortify social and financial infrastructure at scale. By enabling Akhuwat Foundation’s transformation journey, Wateen is contributing to the development of a more resilient and scalable microfinance system – one that can adapt to growing demand while providing meaningful financial support to communities across Pakistan.

Apple is planning to start iPhone manufacturing in Pakistan under a new government-backed Mobile and Electronics Manufacturing Framework, in a move aimed at positioning the country as a regional export hub, reported Express Tribune.

The government has agreed to offer incentives, including an 8 percent performance incentive and provision of land at discounted rates, to attract the tech giant, said the report.

In addition to manufacturing, Apple has also agreed to refurbish used iPhones in Pakistan for re-export, with the government expecting $100 million in export proceeds in the first year.

The plan is part of a broader strategy to bring global technology companies into Pakistan by offering competitive incentives and building local manufacturing capacity.

Officials said Apple intends to initially focus on repairing two to three-year-old iPhones, a model it has previously implemented in countries such as India, Malaysia, and Indonesia, before moving into full-scale manufacturing.

The new framework proposes increasing performance incentives from the current 6 percent to 8 percent to attract investment from Apple and other international manufacturers.

Authorities said the policy has received support from senior government leadership and is expected to be approved soon. The government is also targeting wider investment in the electronics sector, including laptops, tablets, wearables, and accessories, as part of its long-term industrial strategy.

Chinese companies are expected to invest around $557 million in mobile manufacturing, following agreements signed during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Beijing.

As part of the localization push, manufacturers have committed to increasing the use of locally produced components from the current 12 percent to 35 percent in the first year, with a longer-term target of 50 percent.

The policy also proposes an export levy of up to 6 percent on high-end mobile phones to fund technology development, with an expected collection of Rs. 62 billion. Lower-priced phones in the Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 60,000 range will remain exempt.

Separately, the government is expanding its electric vehicle policy. A subsidy of 40 percent has already been introduced for electric two-wheelers, backed by Rs. 9 billion in funding.

The report said the scope may now be extended to electric four-wheelers, with plans underway to introduce low-cost vehicles priced between Rs. 0.7 million and Rs. 0.8 million.