Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, has described a 60-hour workweek as the “sweet spot” for productivity in a recent memo to employees.
In the internal note, obtained by The New York Times, Brin encouraged staff working on Google’s Gemini AI projects to commit to longer hours, emphasizing the need to maintain the company’s leadership in artificial general intelligence (AGI).
His remarks have drawn mixed reactions. While some commend Brin’s dedication to driving success, critics argue that his stance reflects an outdated and potentially harmful work culture. Workplace mental health educator Catherine Eadie dismissed the idea, stating, “The hustle-centric 60-hour week isn’t productivity—it’s burnout waiting to happen.”
Others defended Brin’s perspective, asserting that hard work is a necessity for success. A COO from a business analytics firm wrote, “Brin is just being honest—successful people have always put in long hours.”
However, some find irony in the push for extended work hours, particularly as AI advancements could eventually replace many jobs. A marketing executive commented, “It’s strange to push for longer hours when the very AI models they’re building might replace their jobs.”
Source: Swifteradio.com
