Work Week Episode 35: Will AI Lead to a Shorter Work Week or Longer Hours? | Upwork

Can AI finally enable organizations to deliver on the long-anticipated promise of a shorter work week — or is it quietly pushing organizations toward longer hours and higher expectations? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Manager at The Upwork Research Institute, explores what the latest data reveals about AI’s impact on productivity, burnout, and how work is structured. Discover why some business leaders believe a four-day work week is within reach, why many workers feel more pressure than ever, and how freelancers are showing what’s possible when AI is used intentionally. Also learn about how AI can sometimes contribute to longer working hours, the risks of always-on technology, and what leaders can do to support more sustainable work models and team member engagement. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Find and hire top freelance talent fast on Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/i/how-it-works/client/?utm_medium=OrganicSocial&utm_source=YouTube&utm_campaign=ORSOCL_YT_INFD_ALLMKTS_BRAND_AWR_INTEREST_All_EVGR24_ClientYouTubeDescription Interested in freelancing on Upwork? Get started: https://www.upwork.com/i/how-it-works/freelancer/?utm_medium=OrganicSocial&utm_source=YouTube&utm_campaign=ORSOCL_YT_INFD_ALLMKTS_BRAND_AWR_INTEREST_All_EVGR24_FreelanceYouTubeDescription Visit our resource center for more tips and tricks: https://www.upwork.com/resources?utm_medium=OrganicSocial&utm_source=YouTube&utm_campaign=ORSOCL_YT_INFD_ALLMKTS_BRAND_AWR_INTEREST_All_EVGR24_ResourceYouTubeDescription -------------------------------------------------------------------- 🔔 Subscribe to be notified about new videos ➔ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxGFOnwUBDHHcxuPqhe4CQhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxGFOnwUBDHHcxuPqhe4CQ?sub_confirmation=1 Follow #Upwork on social and join the conversation: ☞ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/upwork/ ☞ X: https://www.twitter.com/upwork ☞ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upwork ☞ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upwork ☞ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@upwork ☞ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@upwork