From 40 to 32 hours: How AI could reshape the American workweek

Sen. Bernard Sanders says if artificial intelligence can help workers get more done in less time, they should work fewer hours — not fear for their jobs. Here’s what you need to know about the AI-driven workweek debate:

Sanders’ AI productivity argument

Vermont independent connects technology to shorter hours:

• “You’re a worker, your productivity is increasing because we give you AI, right?”
• “Instead of throwing you out on the street, I’m going to reduce your workweek to 32 hours”
• Sanders made comments recently on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast
• Introduced 32-hour workweek bill last year

The worker benefit vision

Sanders argues AI gains should help employees, not just executives:

• “It’s about using technology to benefit workers, not just to make billionaires richer”
• Promise of AI should translate into real gains for workers
• Technology shouldn’t just create bigger profits for CEOs and shareholders
• Workers should benefit from increased productivity through AI

The four-day workweek movement

Proponents see AI as work-life balance tool:

• Idea gaining traction among four-day workweek supporters
• See artificial intelligence as tool to improve work-life balance rather than employment threat
• Juliet Schor, economist and author of “Four Days a Week,” says community “buzzing about AI right now”
• Reduced hours seen as way to keep more people employed

The employment protection rationale

Economist warns about AI job displacement:

• “The ability of large language models like ChatGPT to wipe out millions of good-paying positions”
• “We need to be intentional about how we adjust to that technology”
• “Reducing hours per job is a powerful way to keep more people employed”
• Schor told Axios about AI technology rapidly advancing

The company experiments

Some businesses already testing shorter weeks:

• Sanders said “there are companies around the world that are doing it with some success”
• Roger Kirkness, CEO of software startup Convictional, moved 12-person team to four-day week
• Kirkness told staff to “look at Fridays like weekends” without cutting pay
• Software engineer Nick Wehner told Axios he was “so happy”

The AI work efficiency impact

Technology changes how work gets accomplished:

• Wehner noted “how much faster AI tools have made his work”
• Kirkness said while AI speeds up coding, best work requires focus and rest
• “Nearly all that matters in work moving forward is maximization of creativity, human judgment, emotional intelligence”
• “None of those things correlate with hours” according to Kirkness

The government initiatives

Public sector embracing shorter workweeks:

• New York recently became 11th state to consider legislation for pilot four-day week
• Local governments across country testing shorter schedules
• Some reporting cost savings from shorter work schedules
• Spain recently reduced national workweek to 37.5 hours

The international trend

Multiple countries experimenting with reduced hours:

• Tokyo implemented four-day schedule for public employees
• Poland launched pilot program for shorter workweeks
• Dominican Republic, Scotland, Belgium and Portugal have similar efforts
• Governments worldwide testing various shorter schedule formats

The historical parallel

Sanders compares to early labor movement:

• Supporters argue time is right to revisit work hours
• Similar to push for five-day workweek in early 20th century
• “Let’s use technology to benefit workers” Sanders told Rogan
• Technology should give workers “more time with your family, with your friends, for education”

Read more:

• Bernie Sanders pushes four-day workweek as AI fuels productivity gains