Last Modified: April 6, 2024
As AI keeps progressing, the concept of working less is becoming more prominent.
In a recent article featured on Fortune.com, Ray Dalio raised quite an agenda regarding the potential of AI to revolutionize the way we work. According to the billionaire investor, AI has the power to transform productivity to an extent that the traditional five-day workweek could become a thing of the past (by far).
Four-day workweek has been a subject of discussion for years, with various experiments conducted, including this one:
These 61 companies tried a 4-day workweek — and most are sticking with it – MarketWatch
But a three-day workweek is not something everybody would dare to propose, especially given how far even the four-day workweek concept is from widespread acceptance. The idea of working fewer hours may sound appealing, but it raises many fundamental questions.
Critics argue that reducing the workweek could lead to decreased output, hinder career progression, and disrupt industries reliant on continuous operation.
“It’s not realistic to think if everyone had an extra day off, they’d achieve work-life balance or be able to get all their chores done on their day off,” said Russell P. Reeder, a High-Tech Exec and the CEO of Netrix Global. “A four-day workweek will limit employees’ ability to take care of their daily life needs, like taking the kids to school, grocery shopping, going to the doctor, working out or running errands.” Source
And we were talking about a potential four-day workweek.
So, why is a three-day workweek even a question?
The idea of a working less is gaining attention as technology, particularly AI, continues to advance. Ray Dalio, in particular, has suggested that AI has the potential to make three-day workweek a reality. This could change how we think about work, making traditional work schedules less necessary.
While the idea might sound radical at first, the rapid progress of technology makes it worth considering seriously. Advocates of the three-day workweek (less than 50% workdays in a week) argue that AI, along with evolving attitudes toward work-life balance, could make it not only possible but necessary. They believe that using AI to make workflows more efficient could give employees more control over their time, leading to greater job satisfaction and overall well-being.
AI-powered technologies like robotic process automation and machine learning offer new ways to redefine work. By letting AI handle repetitive tasks, humans could focus on more creative, critical, and emotionally intelligent work—areas where humans excel.
And it’s already a reality. Figure01 robot, for example, is a humanoid generative AI. And just take a look at NVIDIA’s new cute mini robots:
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announces new generation AI chips and software
You see… thanks to AI, the idea of a three-day workweek suddenly seems much more feasible and even desirable.
The biggest challenge
The most significant challenge is the transition phase.
Transitioning to a three-day workweek would be a monumental challenge. For example, during the Industrial Revolution, the standard workweek gradually evolved from six or seven days to five, thanks to labor movements and legislation. This transition wasn’t without its struggles, as it required significant adjustments in both societal norms and economic structures.
Similarly, transitioning from a five-day to a three-day workweek would likely face resistance and complications. One major concern is the potential for increased inequality during the transition period. Historically, major changes in work schedules have disproportionately affected certain groups, particularly lower-income workers who rely on hourly wages. They may struggle to adapt to shorter workweeks, especially if their wages are reduced or if they face challenges in securing alternative employment opportunities.
The distribution of labor during the transition could exacerbate existing inequalities. Industries reliant on continuous operation, such as healthcare and public services, may find it difficult to implement shorter workweeks without compromising service quality. This could create disparities between sectors, with some workers enjoying the benefits of reduced hours while others face increased workloads and stress.
Bottom Line
So, transitioning to a shorter workweek, whether it’s four days or even three days, presents significant challenges that could delay its implementation for many years. Despite the potential benefits offered by AI and other technologies, the shift towards such a compressed work schedule is likely to encounter obstacles that are difficult to overcome in the near future. For decades, workers in industries that are slower to adopt AI technologies or those lacking the necessary training to utilize them effectively may miss out on the opportunities for reduced work hours and increased autonomy.
