Lucy Guo: AI Makes People Work Harder, Not Less

Lucy Guo, the billionaire founder of Scale AI and Passes, has stated that artificial intelligence is paradoxically causing some individuals to work harder rather than less. Guo, who achieved billionaire status by age 30 following the sale of Scale AI to Meta, believes that the necessity of being available for AI agents to operate is extending work hours. In a recent interview on the Fortune Daily Show, she explained, "I think AI is making people work harder actually because you have to be awake for your agents to be running." She recounted an instance where she worked a 26-hour day, attributing it to her refusal to sleep while her agents were active.

Guo's personal drive contributes to her demanding work schedule. Since departing Scale AI in 2018, she has been actively involved in startup investments through her venture capital firm, Backend Capital. One notable investment was in an unnamed company that was later acquired by Anthropic, making Guo a "pretty large shareholder" in the prominent AI company. Additionally, she launched Passes, a creator monetization platform, in 2022, and currently serves as its CEO. Despite her personal engagement with AI tools, Guo's observation reflects a broader trend identified in early research concerning AI's impact on the workforce.

Research from UC Berkeley supports Guo's assertion, indicating that AI adoption can lead to increased workloads. A study involving 200 employees at a U.S. technology company over an eight-month period found that employees not only worked at a faster pace but also assumed a wider range of tasks and extended their workdays. Notably, this expansion of duties and hours often occurred without explicit requests from management. The study raises questions about whether the increased speed facilitated by AI necessarily translates to higher quality output or simply a greater volume of work within extended hours.

Guo also acknowledged the enduring importance of human capabilities, even amidst the rise of AI. She emphasized that when working for a company or making investments, identifying individuals with complementary skills is crucial. This perspective highlights that while AI can augment productivity, human collaboration and the strategic deployment of diverse talents remain vital for success. Her own background as a computer science student, where she described herself as average, underscores her belief in the value of recognizing and leveraging the strengths of others.