Google co-founder Sergey Brin has advised employees working on the company’s Gemini AI models to follow a 60-hour workweek and attend office daily in a bid to boost productivity and accelerate artificial general intelligence (AGI) development. This move comes as competition in AI innovation intensifies, with industry giants racing to achieve AGI dominance.In an internal memo accessed by The New York Times, Brin outlined his vision for an optimal work schedule, stating that a 60-hour workweek is the productivity sweet spot. However, he also warned that working beyond this threshold could lead to burnout. He expressed concern about employees working fewer hours or merely doing the bare minimum, stating that such behavior is not only unproductive but also demoralizing for colleagues.Brin emphasized that the final race to AGI is already underway, and that Google possesses all the necessary resources to emerge as a leader, provided employees increase their dedication and enhance efficiency. He urged team members to utilize Google’s own AI tools to optimize coding and improve workflow, highlighting the need for Google’s engineers to become the most efficient coders and AI scientists in the world.
 

The AI Race and Google’s Strategy for AGI

Brin’s directive to increase work hours is a response to heightened competition in AI development, especially following the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2022. With AI capabilities advancing rapidly, Google is looking to turbocharge its innovation efforts to ensure it remains a dominant force in the industry.While Brin’s recommendations do not officially alter Google’s existing hybrid work policy, which mandates employees to be in the office for at least three days a week, his push for full-time office presence underscores a broader industry trend where major corporations are advocating for greater in-office collaboration to drive efficiency and innovation.The memo also highlights Brin’s focus on leveraging AI for internal productivity, stating that Google employees should fully adopt the company’s own AI-driven tools to improve their performance. This aligns with Google’s long-term vision of enhancing automation, streamlining software development, and optimizing workflows through AI-driven solutions.
 

Work-Hour Debate Extends to India’s Corporate Sector

The debate surrounding longer workweeks and corporate productivity is not confined to Silicon Valley. In India, leading business figures have also emphasized the importance of increased work hours to boost national productivity and economic growth.

• Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy previously suggested that Indian professionals should work 70-hour weeks, arguing that longer hours would help India compete globally.
• L&T Chairman S N Subrahmanyan supported the idea, stating that a strong work ethic is necessary for sustained economic progress.
• However, Capgemini India CEO Ashwin Yardi presented an alternative viewpoint at the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF), advocating for a 47.5-hour workweek, a stark contrast to the extended workweeks proposed by other industry leaders.

As corporations and governments navigate the balance between productivity and employee well-being, the discussion around work hours, burnout risks, and hybrid work models continues to shape future workplace policies.Brin’s push for longer workweeks and daily office attendance may set a precedent for other tech firms looking to maximize efficiency in the AI era. As the race toward AGI development accelerates, companies must evaluate the impact of extended work hours on innovation, employee morale, and long-term sustainability.