Artificial intelligence was marketed as the ultimate liberator, promising to streamline tasks, foster work-life balance, and allow humans to “work smarter, not harder.” Instead, many workers are finding themselves tethered to their jobs like never before. The case of Greptile’s 84-hour work week is a glaring example of how AI’s integration into the workplace has backfired for employees. What was supposed to be a tool for freedom is increasingly becoming an enabler of exploitation.
“They love to tell you that AI will free up your time, but if you look around, that’s not what’s happening,” says George Kailas, CEO of Prospero.ai. “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.”
The Blurred Lines Between Work and Life
The promise of AI was efficiency. Tools capable of analyzing data, automating repetitive tasks, and offering real-time insights were supposed to ease workloads, giving employees more time for personal pursuits. However, the reality has been starkly different. Rather than reducing hours, AI has shifted expectations, with employers increasingly viewing human workers as an extension of their 24/7 automated systems.
This shift is evident in the story of Greptile, where employees were pushed to work 84-hour weeks under the guise of staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market. The message is clear: if AI can work around the clock, humans must too.
“This isn’t just a productivity problem—it’s a workplace control problem,” Kailas argues. “Being available 24/7 is not a competitive edge; it’s exploitation dressed up as ambition.”
The Role of AI in Workplace Surveillance
AI isn’t just enabling longer hours; it’s also intensifying workplace surveillance. Many companies now use AI tools to monitor employee productivity, track keystrokes, and analyze performance metrics in real time. This constant monitoring fosters a culture where workers feel pressured to always be “on,” fearing repercussions for any perceived lapse in efficiency.
“The same leaders who told us remote work was inefficient are now preaching ‘maximum effort’ while using AI to track that effort,” Kailas explains. “If companies were honest, they’d admit this isn’t about performance—it’s about control.”
This relentless drive for efficiency comes at a cost. Studies show that excessive work hours lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and long-term health issues. Yet companies seem willing to ignore these consequences, driven by the illusion that more hours equate to better results.
Why “Working Like an AI” Is Unsustainable
AI operates without fatigue, but humans do not. The expectation that employees can mirror AI’s endless capabilities is not only unrealistic but also harmful. The push for 24/7 availability undermines the very essence of work-life balance and disregards the mental and physical well-being of employees.
“Leaders need to be brave enough to batch notifications, enforce actual off-hours, and resist the urge to chase every efficiency AI promises,” Kailas advises. “If not, we’ll all be working the hours AI can, not the hours we should.”
This is not just a matter of employee satisfaction; it’s about long-term sustainability. Research from the World Health Organization links overwork to a 35% higher risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of heart disease. As the boundaries between work and personal life continue to blur, the consequences could be catastrophic for both workers and the organizations that depend on them.
Charting a Better Path Forward
If AI is to be a tool for progress, companies must rethink how they integrate it into the workplace. This means creating policies that prioritize human well-being over relentless productivity. Employers should focus on:
- Setting Clear Boundaries: Establish firm working hours and discourage after-hours communication.
- Implementing Human-Centric AI: Use AI to alleviate workloads rather than increase them, ensuring it complements human capabilities rather than replacing them.
- Promoting Employee Autonomy: Allow workers to have more control over their schedules and workloads.
- Measuring Output, Not Hours: Shift the focus from hours worked to outcomes achieved.
These changes require a cultural shift, but the benefits are clear. Companies that prioritize employee well-being see higher retention rates, increased innovation, and stronger financial performance.
AI as a Liberator, Not a Taskmaster
The integration of AI into the workplace was meant to enhance our lives, not dominate them. Yet stories like Greptile’s 84-hour work week show that we are veering off course. To fulfill AI’s promise as a liberator, companies must resist the temptation to push human workers to their breaking point.
As Kailas aptly puts it, “This isn’t about staying competitive; it’s about staying humane.” The future of work depends on striking a balance between technological progress and human dignity. It’s time for leaders to make choices that reflect this understanding.
