Google co-founder Sergey Brin has implored more intensity in the sprint toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with a push to longer working hours and in-office attendance from workers who focus on the firm's Gemini AI models.

Sergey Brin has reiterated in an internal memo that got published by The New York Times that Google has a chance of setting the industry standard for developing AGI if its workers push up the efforts.

In the memo, Brin suggested employees work a minimum of 60 hours a week, claiming this amount of commitment is the "sweet spot of productivity." Brin did issue a warning about going over the limit, however, and suggested that extended working hours may end in burnout.

"I suggest being in the office at least every weekday," he wrote, adding that those working shorter hours or doing the bare minimum might be lowering the morale of their colleagues.

His order follows a larger trend in corporate work policies, as companies reverse hybrid work models in a bid to improve productivity and teamwork.

'The final race to AGI is afoot'

Brin's call for redoubled efforts comes at a time when there is heightened competition in developing AI, propelled by the release of ChatGPT in 2022 and the explosive development in generative AI.

"The ultimate race to AGI is underway," Brin said. "I believe we have all the ingredients necessary to win the race, but we are going to need to turbocharge our efforts.

Although his memo does not formally change Google's existing return-to-office policy, which requires three on-site workdays per week, it highlights his intent to speed up AI progress.

AI-driven self-improvement pivotal to beating AGI race

Brin specifically challenged Gemini team members to leverage Google's own AI software to maximize their coding effectiveness and research powers.

He underlined that reaching AGI involves AI-powered self-enhancement, urging workers to become "the most efficient coders and AI scientists in the world by using our own AI."

Google's greater emphasis on developing AGI coincides with the Silicon Valley AI competition being at an all-time fever pitch. Competitors such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta are all developing their AI technologies, putting Google in an urgent position to continue leading the industry.

Brin's directive emphasizes Google's accelerated thrust towards AI innovation, marking the time when employees need to work at maximum levels of efficiency so the company does not fall behind the AGI revolution.