Last year, an AI engineer at Amazon faced an unexpected deadline over the weekend, disrupting plans with friends visiting from out of town.

This scenario, familiar to many in the field, highlighted the pressures of the AI industry.

Engineers across Big Tech companies, including Google and Microsoft, described the intense pace and constant pivots in projects, driven by the fear of falling behind competitors in what Nvidia’s CEO likened to the “iPhone moment” for AI.

Speaking anonymously due to company policies, these workers detailed a culture focused more on meeting investor expectations and outpacing rivals than on addressing real-world concerns or ensuring quality work.

Many expressed burnout from long hours and ever-changing mandates, with some considering leaving their roles or departments, CNBC reported.

This frantic pace, driven by the race to develop AI technologies, has been openly acknowledged by tech giants like Microsoft and Meta, signaling significant investments in AI development for the foreseeable future.

Amazon’s CEO also emphasized the enormous potential of AI, comparing it to transformative technological shifts like the cloud and the internet.

Written by B.C. Begley