Could a Four-Day Workweek Drive AI Adoption Among Employees?

Executives searching for strategies to increase enthusiasm for AI among their workforce might consider a four-day workweek as a viable option.

According to authors of a book advocating for a shorter workweek, allowing employees to benefit from AI's improved productivity by reducing their workdays instead of solely increasing their output could foster employee support for a technology that some view as a potential job threat.

The proposal is to compensate workers for five days of work while they only operate four, sharing the technological and innovative achievements with them, as suggested by Jared Lindzon, co-author of 'Do More in Four.' Allowing employees extra time away from work to enjoy AI's advantages could turn them into proponents of its integration, rather than opponents.

Addressing Job Security Concerns

Joe O'Connor, who co-authored the book, notes that discussions about workplace AI often shift towards concerns over potential job losses. Fear of being replaced by technology can be a barrier to its adoption.

A survey conducted in early 2025 among business leaders across eight countries by the IT firm Kyndryl revealed that 45% of CEOs reported employee resistance to AI implementation due to these fears.

Boston Consulting Group has noted that 'cultural pushback and emotional opposition' represent the largest hurdles to integrating AI in 2025, posing a challenge for executives eager to enhance efficiency. Notably, one-third of companies are investing no less than $25 million into AI initiatives.

Leaders Demand AI Adoption

Frustration is evident among some business leaders, such as Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, who in 2025 controversially opted to dismiss employees who failed to embrace AI after being instructed to. Similarly, IgniteTech's head remarked on the difficulty of altering attitudes compared to training skills, leading to significant workforce reductions.

O'Connor suggests that as AI assumes more tasks, productivity gains will rely heavily on human capabilities. Demand for inherently human skills—like creativity, judgment, and critical thinking—will grow, requiring a focus on improving employees' energy levels, motivation, and overall health.

Potential Reduction in Work Hours

The concept of AI enabling shorter working hours isn't novel. Proponents of AI argue that by automating repetitive tasks, humans can invest more time in activities they are passionate about.

Visionaries such as Microsoft founder Bill Gates and JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon have speculated that AI could scale back working days to as few as three-and-a-half or even two days per week.

Other figures, including Nvidia's Jensen Huang—known for extended working hours—envision taking advantage of AI to allow more personal time.

Political Perspectives on Workweek Legislation

Legislative efforts by politicians like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who attributed the potential for increased freedom from AI to the 2024 proposal to amend the standard workweek to 32 hours, indicate growing interest in formal reductions in working hours.

Despite such proposals, widespread transition toward four-day weeks isn't prevalent due to employers retaining significant control in various labor markets. O'Connor highlights that even though fewer companies adopted such schedules in 2025 compared to the more fluid job market of 2023, there has been an increase since the pandemic era.

Balancing Business Gains with Employee Benefits

Employers like Umesh Ramakrishnan, from executive advisory firm Kingsley Gate, concede that the allure of AI often lies in its potential to boost company earnings. He candidly mentions that utilizing an extra day to improve financial outcomes is customary in business operations.

Conversely, Lindzon argues that asking for a slight rise in worker efficiency—equivalent to one day—can prove more fruitful when the incentive is personal rather than purely for corporate advantage. It shifts the dialogue from a command to an invitation for collective progress.