Google’s AGI Battle: Sergey Brin Urges DeepMind Team to Work 60-Hour Weeks

Google DeepMind Gears Up for AGI Race

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has urged employees at the company’s DeepMind artificial intelligence (AI) division to commit to 60-hour workweeks as the race to artificial general intelligence (AGI) intensifies. In an internal memo, Brin emphasized the need for increased effort, warning that competition has never been fiercer.

According to a report by The New York Times, Brin's message advised that a 12-hour workday is the "sweet spot" for productivity. “Some folks put in a lot more but can burn out or lose creativity. A number of folks work less than 60 hours, and a small number put in the bare minimum to get by. This last group is not only unproductive but also can be highly demoralizing to everyone else,” Brin wrote.

Why Brin Wants More Commitment from DeepMind Employees

Brin’s memo arrives as Google DeepMind (GDM) and its flagship AI project, Gemini, celebrate their second anniversary. The co-founder praised the progress made but stressed that Google must accelerate its efforts to stay ahead.

“We have come a long way in that time with many efforts we should feel very proud of,” Brin stated. “At the same time, competition has accelerated immensely, and the final race to AGI is afoot. I think we have all the ingredients to win this race, but we are going to have to turbocharge our efforts.”

Office Work Over Remote Work?

Another key point in Brin’s memo was his insistence on working from Google offices. He strongly recommended employees be physically present at the office every weekday, arguing that face-to-face interactions improve efficiency and communication.

“Physically being together is far more effective for communication than gve (Google Video Conferencing), etc.,” he said.

Brin also pointed out that slow internal processes were a bottleneck. “We need our products, models, and internal tools to be fast. Can’t wait 20 minutes to run a bit of Python on Borg,” he remarked, referring to Google’s in-house computing platform.

Brin Takes Aim at AI Safety Filters

Interestingly, Brin’s memo also criticized excessive safety measures in Google’s AI products. He called for a reduction in "nanny filters" and encouraged a more open approach to AI development. “Our products are overrun with filters and punts of various kinds. We need capable products and [to] trust our users,” he wrote.

Why Is Sergey Brin Taking Charge?

Brin’s memo is surprising given that he no longer holds a formal position at Google. He and co-founder Larry Page stepped down from leadership roles at Google’s parent company, Alphabet, in 2019, choosing to focus on personal ventures. However, Brin remains a board member and has taken an active interest in Google’s AI development in recent months.

Industry Reactions: A Productivity Boost or Employee Burnout?

The demand for longer workweeks and office attendance has sparked mixed reactions in Silicon Valley. Some see Brin’s push as necessary to maintain Google’s dominance in AI, while others raise concerns about employee burnout and work-life balance.

With OpenAI, Microsoft, and other competitors rapidly advancing in AI research, Google is under immense pressure to deliver groundbreaking AI models that surpass existing technology. The company has already faced internal challenges, including the departure of key AI researchers and ethical concerns over AI deployment.

The Future of Google’s AI Ambitions

As the AI race intensifies, Brin’s call for greater dedication could shape the future of Google DeepMind. Whether his push for 60-hour workweeks will drive innovation or backfire remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: Google is betting big on AI, and its leadership is willing to make bold moves to stay ahead.