Archive · 19 Sep 2025
AI Fuels Long Work Hours, Reviving 70-Hour Workweek Trend
Artificial intelligence was supposed to make our lives easier, but some companies are now making employees work even longer hours.
Startups are pushing people to work 70 hours a week, from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week.
This is because they are competing to be the best in the AI field.
It's similar to a tough work culture called "996" that was used in China, but it caused people to burn out.
Now, this long-hour work culture might spread to other industries like Wall Street and big companies, blurring the lines between work and home.
AI is being used as a rationale for longer and more demanding work schedules.
Some AI startups, like Rilla, expect employees to work approximately 70 hours per week.
This trend mirrors China's former '996' work culture, now deemed illegal there.
Silicon Valley startups are adopting similar work models in the name of innovation.
The constant availability through technology could make longer work hours a new normal.
- Who
- AI startups, including Cognition and Rilla.
- What
- A potential return to the 70-hour workweek is happening.
- When
- The trend is occurring now, following China's retreat from the 996 model.
- Where
- Primarily in Silicon Valley and AI startups.
- Why
- Driven by the race to dominate the AI field.
- Companies Mentioned
- Cognition, Rilla, Google
- Workweek Trend
- 70-hour workweeks
- Work Model
- 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week