AI Is Making Us Work More
a day ago
- #AI-productivity
- #burnout
- #work-culture
- AI was supposed to reduce work but has paradoxically increased it, creating psychological pressure to keep working.
- 996 work culture (9AM-9PM, 6 days a week) is spreading from Chinese tech companies to Silicon Valley AI startups.
- Generative AI tools never tire, leading to a mindset where downtime feels like a missed opportunity.
- Historical advancements like lightbulbs transformed 'can work' into 'should work', a pattern repeating with AI.
- Philosopher Byung-Chul Han's concept of self-imposed productivity pressure is amplified by AI.
- The 'hyper-productivity loop' leads to burnout and reduced creativity despite longer hours.
- Rest becomes an act of resistance in a culture that equates constant productivity with success.
- Innovation and creativity often stem from reflection and rest, not constant work.
- The challenge is to use AI in a way that enhances life without enslaving us to productivity.