Sergey Brin says 60-hour in-office weeks are key to Google's AI push

Mar 4, 2025

Sergey Brin advocates for 60-hour office weeks to boost Google's AI efforts.

Sergey Brin says 60-hour in-office weeks are key to Google's AI push

: Sergey Brin emphasizes a 60-hour in-office week as crucial for Google's AI advancements, considering it the ideal productivity level. He specifies that Google employees need to minimize work-from-home options and suggests using Google's Gemini AI to heighten efficiency. Although Brin returned to AI roles in 2023, it's uncertain if CEO Sundar Pichai will heed his labor-intensive approach. The proposal has sparked debate within the tech industry, highlighting differing views on work-life balance.

Sergey Brin, a co-founder of Google, has called for employees to work at least 60 hours a week in the office to propel the company's AI initiatives forward. Brin's memo, reported by The New York Times, suggests that this demanding schedule represents the 'sweet spot of productivity' necessary for Google to succeed in the competitive landscape of artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Brin returned to Google's AI operations in 2023, suggesting heightened productivity is vital. He advises using the company's own Gemini AI tools, urging programmers to increase their output and reduce reliance on remote work, positioning this approach as key to winning the AGI race despite health concerns associated with such lengthy hours.

His recommendation has stirred discussion about work-life balance within the tech community, contrasting with Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's call for even longer workweeks. Though Brin's memo might not immediately change Google's corporate policy, it illustrates his enduring influence and the high stakes involved in leading AI development.