10/27/2025

The 72-hour Work Week Is Having a Moment

The demanding trend is catching on in the U.S., particularly among AI startups

It seems like a long time ago now that Tim Ferriss' The Four-Hour Work Week came out. Now the vibe has shifted, particularly in Silicon Valley and double-particularly in AI. The new trend? The 72-hour work week, better known as 996, for the idea of working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week.

"70 hrs/week in person"

The term comes from China, where those long hours were so ingrained that courts ultimately started barring tech companies from requiring them. Now, it’s catching on in the U.S., particularly among AI startups racing to be first to market.

According to the New York Times, some companies are noting their expectation for 70-hour-plus workweeks right in their job descriptions.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Inc.