The Digital Press

AI, originally expected to reduce our workload, is paradoxically driving many to work longer hours, especially in fast-moving tech sectors like Silicon Valley. The relentless availability of AI tools creates psychological pressure to keep working, blurring the line between productivity and burnout.

Why it matters: AI tools that never tire push workers to adopt grueling 996 schedules, increasing stress and burnout risks globally.

The big picture: Technological advances have historically extended work hours by turning "can work" into "should work," now amplified by AI's nonstop productivity.

The stakes: This "hyper-productivity loop" damages creativity and well-being, making rest a form of resistance against unsustainable work culture.

Commenters say: Many highlight how AI intensifies existing pressures, making startups struggle with unrealistic expectations and fueling a toxic cycle of overwork and inefficiency.