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While relatively few companies have shifted to a four-day workweek, the advent of artificial intelligence apps like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini could hasten the shift. A recent survey by Tech.co of 1,000 U.S.-based business leaders found that the companies that had extensive experience using AI were more than twice as likely to be open to a four-day workweek than those who didn’t.
That was a point made last week by Steve Cohen, the billionaire hedge fund manager and owner of the New York Mets, who said on CNBC he does see a future where a true four-day workweek becomes a reality for most workers (not his own though, as long as the stock market remains open five days). Cohen thinks the increasing presence of artificial intelligence — which has already saved his firm $25 million — would lead him to bet on more companies adopting the approach.
There are two factors driving the push for a four-day workweek, according to Josh Bersin, a research analyst whose firm focuses on human resources. “People are still burned out from the pandemic, believe it or not, and they’re looking for more flexibility in their lives,” he said. Another is that top management is pushing productivity — Cohen cited among his reasons for expecting more companies to adopt the move that productivity levels are generally lower on Fridays.
Bernie Sanders recently introduced legislation to formalize a 32-hour workweek.
But don’t count peer billionaire Barry Diller, the IAC and Expedia chairman, among the believers. He said while he doesn’t see a four-day workweek happening, he is predicting that many companies will shift to a different form of flexible work moving forward — with work time concentrated even more so on in-person appearances.
“Not necessarily a four-day work week, but four days in the office, and Fridays you can work from home or work at your own schedule,” Diller said Thursday on “Squawk Box.”
Calling the range of work-from-home…
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