Ex–Google CEO Eric Schmidt warns U.S. tech workers: Competing with China’s grueling 12-hour workdays means sacrificing work-life balance
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has warned that U.S. tech workers must embrace longer hours to compete with China's demanding work culture. He argues that remote work hinders the ability of American companies to innovate and foster the kind of collaborative learning seen in traditional office environments. Schmidt specifically cited China's '996' schedule (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week) as a benchmark for intense dedication, suggesting that U.S. startups, particularly in AI, are increasingly adopting similar grueling schedules. AI
IMPACT Suggests a potential shift towards longer working hours in AI development, impacting talent acquisition and productivity expectations.