Technological progress has significantly reduced the amount of work humans need to do in many areas of life. Washing machines clean clothes, tractors plow fields, and computers handle administrative tasks. As a result of economic growth and better distribution of wealth, most workers in industrialized countries no longer need to spend most of their waking hours in paid work. The 12-hour workday common in the 19th century has largely been replaced by shorter hours and more leisure time. However, new research suggests that advances in artificial intelligence (AI) may not lead to more free time. Instead, AI could potentially increase working hours. One reason for this is the impact AI has on workers' bargaining power. If employees fear their jobs might be replaced by automation, they might work harder to signal to employers that their labor is still valuable. Employers often make decisions about hiring, promotions, and layoffs based on productivity. But since productivity can be hard to measure, they often use simpler metrics, such as the amount of time spent working. For example, checking if a workstation is still occupied after hours is easier than evaluating the complexity of a project. Workers, in turn, might feel that spending more time at work helps them stand out from their peers. However, when everyone tries to work longer hours, it can backfire. No one gains an advantage, and everyone ends up working more. AI can accelerate this trend. As AI tools automate tasks like data entry, there's an expectation that entire roles may soon be replaced. This creates a more competitive work environment, where employees fear job losses and work harder to keep their positions. Recent studies have found that workers in industries heavily exposed to AI, such as finance and IT, tend to stay in the office later than those in less AI-affected industries. Another challenge is that employers might overestimate how much AI increases productivity. The availability of AI tools can lead to the belief that workers can accomplish more in the same amount of time. When these expectations are too high, it can lead to more intense work or longer hours. The introduction of AI brings significant changes to the workplace. Established routines are disrupted, roles evolve, and new roles emerge. Workers must learn to use AI tools and adapt to working alongside them. The rapid pace of AI development makes this even more challenging, as new tools and updates are constantly introduced, adding to the demands on workers' time. It is sobering to consider that AI might not reduce our workload but could instead increase overwork and burnout. However, this outcome is not set in stone. If the design and implementation of AI are not left solely to employers and large AI firms, it may be possible to create systems that enhance workers' skills and make their work more valuable. A more empowered workforce could negotiate better working conditions that align with people's needs and preferences. If developers prioritize AI that enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them, AI could become a powerful tool to address widespread dissatisfaction with modern work life.