CEO of $8 Billion AI Company Calls 38-Hour Workweek a ‘Mind-Boggling’ Concept
Lucy Guo, the 30-year-old billionaire co-founder and CEO of Scale AI, an $8 billion artificial intelligence firm, has sparked conversation by stating that the belief in maintaining work-life balance with a standard 38-hour workweek while still achieving success is “mind-boggling.” Guo challenged common workplace norms by emphasizing intense work commitment as essential to career advancement.
At a recent Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in Riyadh, Guo highlighted that success is often incompatible with rigid 40-hour workweeks. She suggested that those who believe in strict work-life balance may simply not be in the right type of work to achieve high-level success. “Maybe you’re not in the right work,” she said, implying that significant time investment beyond conventional hours is necessary in competitive fields like AI and tech startups. This candid view reflects a broader trend among top executives who admit to routinely working well beyond traditional benchmarks.
Leah Cotterill, CEO of Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa, revealed she often works intensely from Monday through Thursday and only attempts to reduce workload on Fridays. Other CEOs admitted to daily work periods spanning up to 12 hours, or even up to 80 hours per week, signaling a shift in leadership culture towards greater work dedication.
Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud, CEO of Culture House, described herself as a workaholic, enjoying continuous engagement with her work and working around the clock. This passion-driven work ethic appears to be a common theme among influential global business leaders. Such perspectives underscore a different paradigm where successful executives prioritize total immersion in their roles, diverging sharply from traditional work-life balance ideals.
The younger generation seeking career advancement may need to reconsider expectations around work hours. Industry insiders, including a leaked memo attributed to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, suggest that a 60-hour workweek is the “sweet spot” for advancing in tech and AI sectors. These revelations highlight an implicit message within elite tech circles: climbing the corporate ladder requires a significant time commitment beyond standard employment hours.
The debate around work-life balance versus work intensity raises questions about employee well-being and sustainable career practices. However, Guo and other leaders assert that their relentless work ethic is driven by genuine passion for their work, not merely reactive to market pressures.
Fortune‘s Global Forum, scheduled for October 26–27, 2025, in Riyadh, will further explore these themes as CEOs and global leaders convene to discuss the future of business and leadership in dynamic industries like AI.