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Tech leaders say AI means less work – staff say they work up to 90 hours a week

Tech leaders say AI means less work - their staff say they work up to 90 hours a week

bbc.com

August 10, 2026

6 min read

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54/100

Summary

Tech leaders claim AI will reduce work hours, while employees report working up to 90 hours a week. A Google engineering director predicted a four-day work week by 2025, but recent feedback suggests a disconnect between expectations and reality.

Key Takeaways

Tech leaders claim AI will reduce work hours, yet employees report working up to 90 hours a week in demanding environments.
OpenAI suggested a four-day work week but did not trial it internally, according to a former employee.
Employees at Meta have been "drafted" into urgent AI projects, often working long hours without the option to decline.
Sprints in AI companies can lead to extreme work weeks, with employees reporting over 90 hours of work in a seven-day period.

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Hacker News · bbc.com

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Analysis ready

Community Sentiment

Mixed

Positives

The conversation around AI’s role in work efficiency is sparking real introspection about productivity — some see it as an opportunity to rethink how we leverage tech.
There's a recognition that AI can streamline tasks, but it also requires a mindful approach to avoid wasting time sifting through excessive output.

Concerns

Many commenters highlight a culture of 'fake work' that predates AI, suggesting that rather than alleviating workloads, AI is just amplifying existing inefficiencies.
Some believe the fear of AI taking jobs is being exploited by businesses, leading to overwork and burnout rather than genuine productivity gains.