Google co-founder Sergey Brin is urging employees to commit to a 60-hour workweek, describing it as the “sweet spot of productivity” in the company’s accelerated pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Internal communications obtained by The New York Times reveal Brin’s emphasis on intensifying efforts to achieve AGI—a sophisticated form of artificial intelligence capable of performing tasks with human-like flexibility and efficiency.
Cultural Shift Within Google
This directive signifies a notable cultural shift within Google. Brin’s memo underscores the necessity to “turbocharge” the company’s initiatives, reflecting evolving workplace expectations. He advocates for increased in-office presence, suggesting that employees should be present “at least every weekday.” This contrasts with Google’s existing policy, which mandates three days of in-office work per week. Brin specifically addresses teams working on the Gemini AI models, asserting that a 60-hour workweek enhances productivity. He also critiques employees contributing less than this benchmark, stating that minimal effort can be “highly demoralizing” to colleagues.
Industry-Wide AGI Pursuits
Google’s intensified focus on AGI mirrors a broader industry trend. Competitors such as OpenAI, Meta, Elon Musk’s xAI, and China’s DeepSeek are also striving to develop AGI capabilities. Brin acknowledges the heightened competition, writing, “Competition has accelerated immensely, and the final race to AGI is afoot.” He expresses confidence in Google’s potential to lead this race but emphasizes the need for accelerated efforts.
Defining AGI Progress
In June 2024, Google’s DeepMind released a paper outlining “progress on the path to AGI.” The paper categorizes products like ChatGPT and Gemini as “emerging AGI,” distinguishing them from “competent AGI,” which remains an unachieved milestone. Achieving “competent AGI” would entail AI systems performing at the 50th percentile level of skilled human adults in tasks such as coding.
Workplace Expectations and Productivity
Brin’s advocacy for extended work hours is primarily directed at teams involved in AGI development. He recommends a 60-hour workweek, equating to 12-hour days from Monday to Friday, to maintain a competitive edge. While this expectation is specific to the Gemini AI team, it reflects a broader push within the tech industry to enhance productivity amid fierce competition. Brin also emphasizes the importance of in-office collaboration, suggesting that physical presence can boost efficiency and innovation.
Balancing Productivity and Well-being
While advocating for increased work hours, Brin also cautions against overextension to prevent burnout. He advises employees to limit their workweek to 60 hours, aligning with U.S. federal laws that mandate overtime pay for work exceeding 40 hours per week. This approach aims to balance heightened productivity with employee well-being.
Leveraging Gemini for AI Training
Beyond adjusting work hours, Brin encourages employees to utilize Google’s Gemini AI to enhance coding productivity. By integrating Gemini into daily tasks, employees can contribute to refining the AI model, thereby advancing Google’s AGI objectives. This strategy reflects a symbiotic approach, where human efforts and AI capabilities mutually enhance each other.
Strategic Partnerships
In a move to bolster its AI initiatives, Google recently secured a partnership with Salesforce. This collaboration involves deploying Salesforce AI agents on Google Cloud and integrating Gemini into Salesforce’s AI marketplace, Agentforce. Such alliances are indicative of Google’s strategy to expand its AI ecosystem and accelerate progress toward AGI.
In summary, Google’s intensified efforts toward achieving AGI, as championed by Sergey Brin, highlight the company’s commitment to leading in artificial intelligence. By advocating for extended work hours, fostering in-office collaboration, and leveraging advanced AI tools, Google aims to navigate the competitive landscape of AGI development while maintaining a focus on employee well-being.
