As the artificial-intelligence boom accelerates, a growing number of Silicon Valley teams are adopting the so-called “996” regimen—9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—prompting warnings from AI researchers that the practice carries steep human costs. They argue that prolonged overwork fuels burnout, undermines research quality and safety, and threatens companies’ ability to recruit and retain scarce AI talent. Proponents say aggressive timelines are necessary to stay competitive, but critics counter that sustained output and responsible AI development require guardrails on hours, clearer staffing plans and stronger management discipline. The debate highlights a broader tension across the tech sector: racing to commercialize breakthrough AI systems while mitigating the toll of long hours on employee health, morale and long-run productivity.
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