Work culture in the modern era has reached a breaking point. The dream of work-life balance has become a cruel joke, replaced by endless hours tethered to screens and round-the-clock availability. This decline didn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of decades of glorifying hustle culture, the normalization of overwork, and the steady erosion of boundaries between work and personal life. Now, with the rise of artificial intelligence, the cracks in this unsustainable system are widening.
The narrative of AI as a liberator—a tool to streamline work and improve efficiency—has been widely accepted. It promised to automate repetitive tasks, free up time, and allow humans to focus on creative and meaningful endeavors. But what has actually happened? AI has instead become a weapon in the hands of employers, used to push workers to their limits and beyond.
Take the case of Greptile’s 84-hour work week. This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a symptom of a much larger problem. Employers are leveraging the tireless nature of AI to justify unsustainable demands on human employees. Greptile’s leadership framed these grueling hours as “necessary” to remain competitive, a claim that rings hollow in light of the toll such practices take on workers.
For decades, the corporate world has lionized overwork. The idea that putting in longer hours equates to greater dedication and productivity has seeped into the fabric of work culture. But study after study has shown that overwork leads to diminishing returns—burnout, decreased creativity, and even health problems. Despite this, companies have doubled down on these flawed ideals, and the rise of AI has only exacerbated the issue.
Instead of using AI to lighten workloads, companies are deploying it to monitor, measure, and control their employees. AI tools track productivity, analyze performance, and set benchmarks that push workers to emulate the efficiency of machines. The result? A workforce that’s perpetually on edge, afraid to take breaks or disconnect for fear of being labeled unproductive.
The leaders driving these changes often hide behind the language of innovation and progress. They argue that increased efficiency is essential in a competitive global market. But at what cost? The relentless drive for productivity is eroding the very foundation of what makes work meaningful and sustainable.
The impact of this toxic work culture is both immediate and long-term. In the short term, employees face burnout, mental health challenges, and strained personal relationships. Over time, the physical toll of overwork becomes apparent, with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, depression, and other stress-related illnesses. The World Health Organization has linked long working hours to a 35% higher risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of heart disease—statistics that should serve as a wake-up call for employers.
What’s particularly insidious about this trend is the way it shifts responsibility onto workers. Employees are told they must adapt, reskill, and push harder to stay relevant in an AI-driven world. Meanwhile, the leaders who set these expectations are rarely held accountable for the environments they create.
George Kailas, CEO of Prospero.ai, offers a stark critique of these exploitative practices. “They love to tell you that AI will free up your time, but if you look around, that’s not what’s happening,” he says. “AI doesn’t sleep, and now companies are starting to expect people to follow suit. If you don’t, you’re gone. Just look at the Greptile story — 84-hour work weeks being framed as ‘necessary’ to stay competitive. It’s no coincidence this is happening alongside the rise of AI.”
Kailas’s critique cuts to the heart of the issue: the problem isn’t AI itself, but how it’s being used. Leaders have a choice in how they deploy these tools, and too many are opting for exploitation over empowerment.
If companies truly want to harness the potential of AI, they must prioritize the well-being of their workers. This starts with setting clear boundaries, such as enforcing off-hours and ensuring workloads are manageable. AI should be used to enhance productivity, not to extract every ounce of energy from employees.
Moreover, leaders must challenge the deeply ingrained belief that overwork is synonymous with success. Real leadership means valuing people over profits, fostering an environment where employees can thrive, and recognizing that sustainable practices benefit everyone in the long run.
As Kailas aptly states, “This isn’t just a productivity problem—it’s a workplace control problem. Being available 24/7 is not a competitive edge; it’s exploitation dressed up as ambition.”
It’s time for companies to rethink their approach and fulfill AI’s original promise: to liberate, not oppress. The future of work depends on it.