By Robert Reich
Publication Date: 2026-02-18 13:00:00
The front-page headline of a recent Washington Post was breathless: “These Companies Say AI Is Key to Their Four-Day Workweek.” The subtitle was euphoric: “Some companies are giving more time back to their employees as artificial intelligence takes on more tasks.”
Than that post stated: “More companies may move to a shortened work week, several of them.” Executives and researchers believe that employees, particularly younger generations, will continue to push for a better work-life balance.”
Hurray! At the end of the AI rainbow lies a utopia! A better work-life balance!
You may have come across similar articles in Fortune magazine and the New York Times. The AI spin brigade is in full force.
Business leaders are raving about how AI will empower their employees to take more time. Zoom’s Eric Yuan told the Times: “AI can improve all of our lives. Why do we have to work five days a week? Every company supports three days, four days a week. I think that’s ultimately…