Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google, urged employees in the artificial intelligence department to increase their weekly working hours to 60 and to be present in the office throughout the week, with the aim of accelerating the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Brin emphasized that this step is necessary to boost productivity and achieve tangible progress in the AI projects the company is working on.

Brin's vision on productivity and the importance of intensive work

In an internal memo, Brin clarified that “60 hours per week is the optimal point for productivity,” noting that exceeding this limit could lead to burnout. However, he simultaneously expressed concern that some employees are not working the required minimum or are settling for fewer hours, which could negatively impact team performance and morale.

Brin also stressed that commitment to being physically present in the office would enhance collaboration among teams and stimulate innovation, which is crucial at this current stage characterized by intense competition in the AI sector.

The AI race prompts stricter work policies

These directives come amid escalating global competition in the field of artificial intelligence, especially after the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, which has pushed major tech companies, including Google, to intensify their efforts and investments to develop more advanced AI models.

In this context, Brin affirmed that AI teams at Google are required to use the company’s internal tools to enhance programming efficiency and achieve breakthroughs in the development of artificial general intelligence. He considered that these measures would help the company keep up with the competition in this vital field.

Brin's return to the tech scene within Google

Although Sergey Brin stepped down from his position as CEO of Google in December 2019, he remains a member of the board and actively participates in the development of AI projects within the company. It is believed that his return to involvement in company operations reflects his awareness of the importance of the current stage in the race to develop advanced AI technologies.

Reactions and potential challenges

While some experts believe that increasing working hours may lead to improved productivity in the short term, there are concerns about burnout and a decrease in creativity due to the excessive pressure on employees. Moreover, imposing mandatory office attendance may not align with the modern work trends that have become more flexible after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these challenges, it seems that Google is moving towards adopting a stricter work policy to keep pace with the rapid developments in the field of AI and ensure it maintains its leadership against competitors like OpenAI and Microsoft.

Brin's statements reflect a shift in the work environment within Google, as the company seeks to enhance its employees' commitment and motivate them to work longer hours in order to achieve progress in AI research. The most pressing question remains: Will these policies drive innovation, or could they lead to a decline in performance due to burnout?