Technology · 9 February 2026
NYC tech firm demands 72-hour work weeks citing AI gold rush
Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash
A surge in artificial-intelligence startups is reviving a grueling work culture that demands about 72-hour weeks, echoing China’s controversial “996” model where employees work 9 am–9 pm, six days a week. Once criticized as exploitative, this schedule is being embraced in Silicon Valley as firms race to innovate and compete globally. Advocates argue it accelerates breakthroughs, while critics warn it risks employee wellbeing and burns out talent in a high-pressure industry.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs