Meta Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Andrew Bosworth (앤드루 보스워스) said productivity gains from artificial intelligence tools should lead to more work and product development, not more vacation for employees.

Foreign media outlets including TechRadar and Business Insider reported on Aug. 10 that Bosworth made the comments during an internal Q&A, saying time freed up by AI should translate into more results.

Bosworth told Meta employees, "If AI has made you more efficient, you should do that much more work and make that many more products." He added, "Billions of people use our products every day, and if I have an extra hour, I would also spend that time on it." He meant that if AI cuts repetitive tasks, the company should deliver more output to users.

The remarks came as an employee asked whether improved AI productivity could be linked to more vacation. The question was related to the company's previous internal programme, "Meta Days," which allowed employees to apply for additional time off. The programme is currently suspended.

Bosworth reacted strongly to the question. He told the employee, "Stop talking about Meta Days. It's nonsense," and added, "Ask your parents what it's like to ask for more time off every time you get a chance to talk to your boss." He later apologised, saying he had been too harsh, and added that he made the comment jokingly.

The controversy is also tied to debate in the big tech industry over whether AI can actually reduce human workloads. Comments by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman that "it is because people like working that leisure time has not decreased" are also drawing renewed attention.

Altman has said that despite expectations AI will lift overall productivity and efficiency, society and working methods may not change significantly for the time being. Against that backdrop, remarks by Meta management show an internal view of AI as a means to expand performance rather than cut costs or shorten working hours.

What changes AI adoption will bring to employees' working methods, compensation and leave systems remains disputed. The debate inside Meta again showed that productivity gains do not immediately lead to shorter working hours.