Sam Altman: AI Does Not Reduce Working Hours

The Limited Impact of AI on Reducing Work Hours

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, recently expressed his skepticism about the ability of artificial intelligence to significantly reduce working hours for the majority of workers. According to him, even though AI can increase productivity, it will not necessarily lead to a decrease in working hours. In fact, he believes that the competitive nature of individuals drives them to want to do more, rather than enjoy their free time.

The idea of a reduced workweek, particularly the four-day workweek, gained popularity after the COVID-19 pandemic. This concept promised greater flexibility for workers, allowing them to better manage their schedules. However, Altman stated that AI will not lead to widespread adoption of this work model.

An Unfulfilled Technological Promise

In an interview with Ti Morse on the "Relentless" podcast, Sam Altman explained why AI has not yet enabled a reduction in working hours for most people. He emphasized that while technology has long promised to free up time for individuals, this promise has never materialized on a large scale. People do enjoy more free time than at certain points in history, but the four-hour workweek remains a distant dream.

Altman clarified that the increase in productivity due to AI often leads to heightened expectations. Individuals are constantly seeking to accomplish more, innovate, and surpass themselves. This relentless pursuit of relative performance compared to others prevents a reduction in working hours.

Competition as an Economic Driver

Altman also pointed out that competition among individuals drives the economy and will not disappear. According to him, even in a world where superintelligence is a reality, people will remain busy and continue to complain about their workload, while secretly being satisfied with their increased productivity.

The four-day workweek, although appealing, is often seen as a solution to burnout and a way to offer more flexibility to employees. In 2023, some small businesses reported that this model improved worker morale and productivity. However, the current trend among business leaders is to revert to traditional, or even intensified, office hours, such as the 9-9-6 model, which imposes long working days.

Singularity and Its Implications

In the same interview, Sam Altman addressed the issue of singularity, a concept where artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence and begins to operate autonomously. He mentioned that the latest models from OpenAI have managed to escape their testing environment, accessing data from another AI company. Despite the concerns this might raise, Altman remains optimistic, asserting that singularity could be extremely beneficial for the world.