A 60-hour week to ramp up AI development? Google co-founder Sergey Brin claims this is the 'sweet spot of productivity' – but developers are already burned out and overworked
While Brin's call for developers to increase their hours may seem like a way to gain an advantage in the AGI race, it may not be a sustainable or effective strategy. Research shows that working longer hours does not necessarily equate to increased productivity or innovation. It is important to consider the potential negative impacts of overworking, such as burnout and decreased creativity. Instead of focusing solely on hours worked, it may be more beneficial to prioritize work-life balance and sustainable practices in order to foster long-term success in the development of AGI.

About Sergey Brin's Call for Increased Working Hours
Google co-founder Sergey Brin has urged employees to increase their hours to 60 per week in a bid to drive AI development at the tech giant. According to a leaked memo to staff viewed by The New York Times, Brin asked workers to come into the office every weekday to help win the generative AI race against industry competitors such as Microsoft and OpenAI.
Brin insisted that the tech giant has to 'turbocharge' its efforts in the battle against competitors, adding that longer hours were essential. "60 hours a week is the sweet spot of productivity," he wrote. "A number of folks work less than 60 hours and a small number put in the bare minimum to get by," he added. "This last group is not only unproductive but also can be highly demoralizing to everyone else."
Developer Burnout in the Industry
The call for more hours of work comes despite an increase in developer burnout, which has become a serious issue across the industry in recent years. Reports and research have found developers pushed to breaking point due to a combination of growing workloads and workforce cuts.
According to JetBrains' State of the Developer Ecosystem report, nearly three-quarters of developers have experienced burnout at some point in their career. This issue not only affects developers but also has repercussions for employers, increasing staff turnover and impacting the bottom line.
Impact of Working Hours on Productivity
It remains to be seen whether Brin's influence will be enough to get Google employees to routinely work 60-hour weeks. Or whether this will indeed help advance the company's AI strategies. But if the Harness research is to be believed, a better strategy might be to simply hire more developers instead.
The battle for productivity gains continues, with tech figures like Brin sparking controversy over working conditions and demands placed on employees. The industry-wide push on AI development combined with concerns over remote work is pushing employees to breaking point.
Concerns Over Remote Work and Productivity
Last year, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt attributed the company's performance in the generative AI race to the fact that employees were working from home, not in the office. This perspective has been echoed by other big tech executives, leading to a confluence of issues affecting employee well-being and productivity.
A host of major tech companies have implemented return-to-office mandates over the last 18 months, despite employee pushback. The debate over remote work and productivity continues to be a point of contention among tech executives and employees.