Archive · 4 Sep 2026
AI Workflows Leave Workers Busier Despite Chatbot Assistance
Some people use chatbots and AI tools to help with their work.
The tools can build features and study marketing tasks.
While the AI is busy, workers may cook, browse online, or read.
Phalgun Guduthur does not think of AI as a teammate.
He sees it as a computer following instructions.
He says AI saves time, but that makes him take on even more ideas.
Akhilesh Bhamburkar also says he works at least 10 hours a day.
So, AI may save time without making people work less.
Some independent workers use AI tools to build features and analyze marketing.
Phalgun Guduthur says AI is a computer doing what it is told, not a team member.
While AI works, Guduthur browses X, cooks, or reads about future tasks.
Guduthur says saved time lets him pursue more ideas, causing him to work more.
Akhilesh Bhamburkar says he works at least 10 hours daily, more than in his former corporate job.
- Who
- Independent product builder Phalgun Guduthur and tech solo-preneur Akhilesh Bhamburkar.
- What
- They describe how they use AI tools and how automation affects their working hours.
- When
- The article does not specify when these working patterns began.
- Where
- Guduthur's location is not stated; Bhamburkar is identified as being in Nagpur.
- Why
- AI tools handle tasks, freeing time that the workers use to pursue additional ideas and work.
AI as a Tool
AI as a Team Member
How workers describe AI
AI as a Tool
Phalgun Guduthur rejects the idea that AI agents are members of his team and describes AI as a computer following instructions.
AI as a Team Member
The article’s “AI team” framing reflects a contrasting way of viewing AI agents, although this excerpt does not provide a detailed quote from people who hold that view.
What time savings mean
AI as a Tool
Guduthur says AI frees time for him to browse, cook, read, and move more ideas forward.
AI as a Team Member
Rather than reducing work, the saved time can lead to a heavier workload; Guduthur and Bhamburkar both describe working long hours.
- AI tools mentioned
- Cursor and Claude
- Guduthur's view
- AI is a computer doing what it is told, rather than a member of his team.
- Guduthur's activities while AI works
- Browsing X, cooking, and reading about what to do next.
- Effect of saved time
- Guduthur says he fits more ideas into the same number of hours.
- Guduthur's workload
- He says he works a lot more now.
- Bhamburkar's workload
- He says he works a minimum of 10 hours a day.
- Comparison
- Bhamburkar says his current schedule is longer than his previous corporate job.