OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has called on businesses to trial shortened workweeks as part of a broader effort to help economies adapt to increasingly powerful artificial intelligence systems, according to BBC News.

The proposal, outlined in a policy discussion paper released Monday, suggests four-day workweeks could serve as a transitional measure as AI tools take on more workplace responsibilities. OpenAI emphasized that the recommendations are preliminary and intended to spark dialogue rather than prescribe specific solutions.

The timing reflects mounting anxiety across Asia-Pacific economies about AI's labor market impact. South Korea and Japan have already seen pilot programs testing reduced work hours, though primarily to address burnout rather than automation. Singapore's government has funded AI reskilling initiatives for over 40,000 workers in the past year alone.

Industry Response Mixed

The proposal has drawn skepticism from business groups in the region. The Singapore Business Federation noted that while AI may boost productivity, most firms lack the margins to maintain full salaries for reduced hours. Australian unions, by contrast, have welcomed the discussion, arguing that productivity gains from AI should benefit workers, not just shareholders.

OpenAI's intervention comes as the company faces regulatory scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions. Chinese authorities have restricted ChatGPT access, while India's technology ministry is drafting guidelines that would require AI companies to disclose training data sources and algorithmic decision-making processes.

The four-day week concept has precedent. Iceland's trials between 2015 and 2019 showed maintained productivity with improved worker wellbeing, though those experiments predated generative AI's emergence. Whether such models can scale amid AI-driven disruption remains an open question.

OpenAI did not specify whether it would implement shortened weeks for its own workforce, which has expanded rapidly across San Francisco, London, and Singapore offices.