Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban says artificial intelligence (AI) could soon reshape the traditional 40-hour work week, allowing employees to work fewer hours while earning the same pay.
What Did Cuban Say
In a series of posts on X, Cuban argued that the growing use of AI “agents”—software systems capable of completing tasks autonomously—will make it possible to significantly shorten daily work hours.
According to Cuban, companies that adopt the technology early should also rethink how they measure productivity and reward employees.
“Smart, bigger companies will enable their employees to create and use agents (within security guardrails), to improve their productivity,” Cuban wrote. “But most importantly, they will reduce their work day by an hour to start. Same pay.”
Cuban framed shorter workdays not as an informal perk, but as a deliberate policy decision that companies should formalize as AI tools become more capable.
He added that productivity gains should translate into more personal time for workers rather than simply raising expectations.
“Reward people doing the daily with more time,” Cuban wrote.
Could AI Reduce Work Hours?
The comments come as AI agents are increasingly being promoted as the next major productivity leap for daily, administrative tasks. Supporters argue they can handle tasks such as research, scheduling, drafting communications, and data analysis, freeing employees to focus on higher‑level, more strategic tasks and responsibilities.
Cuban said he does not believe AI will lead to mass unemployment, pushing back against more pessimistic views of workplace automation. According to Business Insider, Cuban said he is not an AI “doomer” and argued that long‑term competitive advantages will go to companies that move quickly and effectively, as the technology becomes widely available.
His comments align with broader discussions among tech leaders about whether AI could eventually shorten the workweek. Business Insider reported that Zoom CEO Eric Yuan previously suggested AI avatars could reduce the need for routine meetings, while Microsoft co‑founder Bill Gates and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon have both said AI could ultimately lead to three‑ or three‑and‑a‑half‑day workweeks.
Still, Cuban’s remarks land amid growing debate over whether AI actually does reduce working hours.
Research cited by Business Insider notes that AI systems often require substantial human oversight, with one Workday survey finding that nearly 40 percent of AI’s potential value is lost to rework and misalignment as employees check outputs for mistakes and hallucinations.
For Cuban, the central issue is not whether AI can save time, but whether companies are willing to give that time back.
“Same pay,” he emphasized—making clear that shorter workdays, in his view, should not come at workers’ expense.
