For decades, the phrase “working 9 to 5” defined the standard office lifestyle in America. But in Silicon Valley, where the race for dominance in artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies grows fiercer by the day, those hours seem almost quaint. Instead, an imported philosophy from China’s fast-paced tech sector is taking hold: the infamous “996” work culture — 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week.

While this relentless schedule was formally outlawed by China’s courts in 2021, the idea has found a second life in California. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn, conversations around “996” are exploding. Some professionals boast about embracing the grind, while others critique it as a dangerous escalation of Silicon Valley’s already intense hustle culture. But one thing is clear: long hours are back at the center of the Valley’s identity, both as a badge of seriousness and as a perceived requirement for survival.

The Origins of 996: From China to California

The “996” model first gained notoriety in China’s tech boom, particularly among companies like Alibaba and Huawei, where marathon workweeks became synonymous with dedication and ambition. In 2021, the Supreme People’s Court of China ruled that forcing employees into 72-hour weeks violated labor law, sparking widespread debate about the toll of overwork.

Despite that ruling, the concept remains aspirational for some U.S. tech workers. Executives are rumored to probe potential hires about their willingness to commit to “996” schedules, and some job descriptions have even begun hinting at expectations of 70-plus-hour workweeks. Evidence of this culture shift has also surfaced in data. Ramp, a financial operations start-up, noted a surge in corporate credit card transactions in San Francisco on Saturdays during the first half of the year, suggesting that more employees are spending weekends at their desks instead of relaxing.

A Familiar Pattern in Silicon Valley

Though the terminology is new, the spirit behind 996 is not. Margaret O’Mara, a historian at the University of Washington and author of The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America, explains that extreme work hours have long been part of the Valley’s DNA.

Dating back to the 1960s semiconductor wars, companies thrived on an ethos of nonstop labor. Outwardly, Silicon Valley cultivated a “California casual” image of jeans, hoodies, and laid-back offices with free snacks. But behind the scenes, employees were expected to dedicate themselves fully — often sacrificing personal life for professional gains.

That duality remains today. The embrace of 996 is simply a modern, high-octane extension of a long-standing truth: tech innovation has always been fueled by sleepless nights, obsessive drive, and a willingness to burn the candle at both ends.

Work as Religion in Tech Culture

The intensity of Silicon Valley’s devotion to work often borders on spiritual. Carolyn Chen, a sociologist at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of Work Pray Code, argues that for many, careers in tech are not just jobs but a source of purpose, identity, and community.

According to Chen, a “heroic masculine culture” dominates the Valley, where workers prove their worth by demonstrating superhuman endurance. Pulling 12-hour days, sacrificing weekends, and pushing personal boundaries become acts of devotion, reinforcing the idea that to build the future, one must live and breathe work.

This devotion has shaped the mythology of Silicon Valley — the idea that the next billion-dollar innovation lies just one sleepless coding sprint away. For some, this belief inspires ambition. For others, it enforces an unhealthy cycle of exhaustion and exclusion.

The Risks of an Exclusive Culture

The glorification of “996” doesn’t affect everyone equally. For workers with caregiving responsibilities, disabilities, or commitments outside the office, keeping pace with extreme hours can be nearly impossible. Critics argue that celebrating nonstop work risks re-entrenching the industry’s reputation as homogeneous and unwelcoming to diverse talent pools.

The Valley has long struggled with inclusivity, particularly around gender and socioeconomic background. Adding pressure to conform to a grueling schedule could drive away valuable talent who simply cannot or choose not to sacrifice every waking moment to their employer.

In other words, the push toward 996 may amplify old problems — a culture that rewards only those with the privilege and stamina to endure it, while sidelining those whose lives don’t revolve entirely around work.

The Financial Incentives Behind the Grind

For those who can embrace the lifestyle, however, the rewards can be massive. With artificial intelligence attracting unprecedented investment, the potential for outsized payoffs looms large. For start-up founders and early employees, the prospect of life-changing wealth remains a powerful motivator to endure 996.

At the same time, insecurity fuels the cycle. After years of mass layoffs, rising interest rates, and volatile market conditions, even seasoned professionals feel the ground shifting under their feet. Job stability no longer feels guaranteed, and benefits that once cushioned the Valley’s workers — gourmet cafeterias, generous stock options, and wellness perks — have tightened.

Elon Musk’s now-famous call for an “extremely hardcore” workforce at Twitter (now X) is no longer viewed as an anomaly. It is increasingly aligned with the new tech reality: leaner teams, fewer perks, and a stronger emphasis on raw output. In this environment, performing long hours becomes not just a way to advance but a way to survive.

From Cushy Benefits to Hard Tech

The contrast between Silicon Valley in 2020 and 2025 illustrates how quickly the industry has shifted. Five years ago, companies competed to attract talent with extravagant perks: in-house massages, nap pods, and unlimited catered meals. Today, priorities have flipped. Tech is entering a “hard tech” era where stamina, dedication, and resilience define the workplace.

This transformation reflects both external pressures and internal ambition. As the AI revolution accelerates, companies are desperate to stay ahead of competitors. Workers, in turn, are motivated by fear of being left behind and the lure of striking gold in the next big innovation wave.

Yet the question remains: is this model sustainable? History shows that burnout, high turnover, and mental health struggles often follow periods of extreme work culture. Still, in the eyes of many Silicon Valley professionals, these sacrifices are simply the price of admission to an industry obsessed with reshaping the future.

The New Normal

Silicon Valley has always been a place where ambition collides with reality, where dreams of changing the world often come with sleepless nights and relentless effort. The adoption of “996” is not just a fad but a reflection of broader shifts — economic uncertainty, competitive pressures, and the immense promise of AI-driven wealth.

As Dr. O’Mara observed, the Silicon Valley of 2025 is fundamentally different from that of just a few years ago. The culture of perks and comfort is fading, replaced by one where hard work is worn as a badge of honor. Whether this path leads to groundbreaking innovation or widespread burnout remains to be seen.

For now, though, one thing is clear: in the Valley’s new age of AI and “hard tech,” the 9-to-5 is officially dead. The 996 era has arrived.