Silicon Valley tech giant considers in-person work mandates to stay competitive in AI.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin recently issued an internal memo urging employees working on the company's artificial intelligence (AI) projects to work longer hours and be more present in the office.
Brin emphasized how important it is for Google to spend at least 60 hours a week in the office in order to remain competitive in the AI industry, which is changing quickly. In the race to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI), companies like OpenAI, Meta, Elon Musk's xAI, and China's DeepSeek face intense competition from Google.
 |
| Google co-founder urges employees to work in the office |
Brin suggested teams working on Google's Gemini AI models work 12-hour days from Monday to Friday, highlighting the significance of extended office presence for productivity.
He mentioned that some workers were working fewer hours than required or doing the bare minimum, which, in his opinion, can demoralize others. While the entire Google workforce is currently required to be in the office three days per week, this requirement only applies to the AI division.
Even though Brin will step down as president in 2019, he continues to actively contribute to Google's AI development.
His recent push for more time spent in the office and longer hours is part of a larger trend among tech leaders who emphasize the importance of having a physical presence in order to foster innovation and keep an edge over competitors in the industry. Within the tech community, this move has sparked discussions regarding productivity and work-life balance. While some argue that more in-person collaboration speeds up innovation, others contend that remote work and flexibility can also result in significant advancements.
Companies are trying to strike a balance that benefits both the well-being of employees and the success of the organization as the debate continues.