As companies experiment with a four-day workweek, the potential of AI to boost productivity raises questions about its impact on work schedules. While 81% of young people support the idea, experts suggest that widespread AI adoption could be key to making it a reality. AI tools could automate 'busy work', freeing up time for more meaningful tasks. However, the success of AI depends on its widespread use and integration into workflows. Some experts predict a shorter workweek, while others suggest employees might simply shift their focus to more demanding tasks.
As companies around the world experiment with a four-day workweek , employees continue to weigh in on their interest in the concept. An overwhelming majority, 81% of young people support a four-day workweek , according to aAt the same time, the advent of AI tools like Microsoft Copilot could help workers hike productivity on the job.
About 53% of knowledge workers' time is spent on busy work, says Rebecca Hinds, head of theby Asana. That is the "scheduling of meetings, the attending of meetings, the coordinating of work. And AI has massive, massive potential to automate that busy work." With so much promise around how much of employees' workload AI could cut, is it possible the tech could usher in a four-day workweek sometime in the future?. She adds that "AI models are getting 'smarter.' They're getting more capable. The ability to tailor them to a unique experience is getting faster, easier, cheaper." Other experts agree — with caveats that at lot of this depends on company-wide decision making. Here's how AI could play into the four-day workweek.To begin with, while individuals are already starting to see the benefits of using some AI tools, the success of these tools is not evenly distributed. "If you're using AI every day, 89% of those workers report productivity gains," says Hinds. But, she adds, "if you're only using AI every month or every week, you're significantly less likely to report productivity gains." That makes it hard for organizations to assess how effective this tech really is and make decisions for their workforces accordingly. "In order for a different type of work arrangement to really work," Hinds says about a four-day workweek, "everyone is going to need to be getting some benefit from the technology and be able to use the technology effectively." Until there's widescale adoption across both individuals and teams, there likely won't be any change to flexible work styles. "I think organizations are comfortable with status quo," she says.widely adopted this tech and seen the kind of uptick in productivity which could make the argument for a shorter week, the result could play out in different ways.Mark Riedl , professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "And if you can do that in four days instead of five, that's great. Go home." Others, however, could say in place of the busy work AI can take over "you should just shift your time to more meaningful work and still work as much because there's always too much work to be done," he says.altogether, which might mean their colleagues take over that work. "I don't imagine we have too many jobs that would be 100% replaced," says Reidl, but some companies may find they "can get away with doing the same amount of work with fewer people," he says. Ultimately, how the advent of AI plays out for workers will likely "vary business to business based on their goals and their needs," says Daniel.How to Use AI to Be More Successful at WorkExpert instructors will teach you how to get started, practical uses, tips for effective prompt-writing, and mistakes to avoid.09:03
Business AI Productivity Four-Day Workweek Technology Impact Automation
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NFL Divisional Round: Chiefs 23, Texans 14 — Four Winners, Four LosersThe Houston Texans made it to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs this past weekend, went on the road, and lost to end the season in frustrating fashion. That previous sentence is one that it feels like I should just store in my drafts and have ready every season,...
Read more »
Four No More: Marvel Renames the Fantastic FourComic Book Movies, News, & Digital Comic Books
Read more »
Four Quarterbacks, Four Big Questions Ahead of the NFL Championship GamesAs the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills face off in the AFC championship game and the Washington Commanders take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship, four quarterbacks stand at the center of the action. NBC News and NBC Sports analysts Rohan Nadkarni, Andrew Greif, and Patrick Daugherty weigh in on the biggest storylines, including the quarterbacks' performances, the Commanders' defensive strength, and whether Jayden Daniels' rookie season will continue its magical run.
Read more »
Usher Headlines Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show with SZA as Special GuestUsher will headline the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show, with SZA as a special guest. Jon Baptiste will perform the National Anthem, while Lauren Daigle and Trombone Shorty will perform 'America the Beautiful'. The game will be held at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9th.
Read more »
Cavs to return Core Four member after missing the last four contestsThe Cavs will get back a key piece to their lineup in their second game against the Houston Rockets on Saturday.
Read more »
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Trailer Reportedly Gets a Release Date (And It’s Soon)Comic Book Movies, News, & Digital Comic Books
Read more »