US startup lists 70-hour weeks; echoes China’s 996 work culture in Silicon Valley

 Silicon Valley AI startups are increasingly adopting China’s controversial “996” work schedule, pushing employees to work extreme hours despite its outlaw status in China. Fueled by the global AI race and the ambition to build billion-dollar companies, this trend raises concerns about labor law compliance and worker exploitation, even as some Gen Z workers embrace the demanding culture. Silicon Valley AI startups are increasingly adopting China’s controversial “996” work schedule, pushing employees to work extreme hours despite its outlaw status in China. Fueled by the global AI race and the ambition to build billion-dollar companies, this trend raises concerns about labor law compliance and worker exploitation, even as some Gen Z workers embrace the demanding culture.