Marketplace All-in-One Work weeks are getting more intense for AI startups
Aug 14, 2025
In the tech world, China's demanding '007' work week is raising the stakes, showcasing an unsettling evolution from the infamous '996' schedule. Silicon Valley is starting to mirror this relentless grind, with startups adopting extreme work hours amid fierce competition. The pressures on tech workers are mounting, leading to burnout and a culture that glorifies overwork. This relentless pursuit of success raises crucial questions about work-life balance and the sustainability of such rigorous demands.
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Long Hours Are Institutionalized
- China's tech culture has long normalized extreme hours like the 996 schedule for competitive advantage.
- Leadership and public messaging have amplified long-hours expectations and glorified being always-on.
PR Head Glorified 24/7 Availability
- Baidu's head of PR released videos urging staff to keep phones on 24-7 and answer at any time, even sharing personal sacrifices.
- She later apologized, but employees report similar pressures and burnout across tech firms.
Competition And Layoffs Drive Overtime
- Intense competition and a sluggish economy push firms to demand faster, bigger product releases from employees.
- Mass layoffs remove worker leverage, making overtime resistance risky and increasing compliance with extreme hours.