Indian-Origin xAI Leader’s Wild 36-Hour Shift Claim Shocks Elon Musk Fans—What’s Really Going On?

A recent post by a technical staff member at xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk, has ignited a debate over workplace culture in the tech industry. On November 28, Parsa Tajik shared on social media that he had just completed a grueling 36-hour work session without any sleep. “Last night I left the @xai office after ~36 hours of working with no sleep. Although I was dead, I was also super energized. Incredibly grateful to be a part of this team. Happy Thanksgiving!” he posted on X, previously known as Twitter.

The post quickly garnered attention, leading to backlash from users who deemed this relentless work ethic as emblematic of an unhealthy "hustle culture." Critics argue that such extremes are unsustainable and contribute to burnout—an issue that has been increasingly prevalent in the tech sector.

xAI Leadership Response

In light of the viral conversation, Ayush Jaiswal, another employee at xAI who works on the Grok team, responded with a somewhat humorous endorsement of the intense work culture. “Work-life balance is great; in fact, we recommend it to all our competitors,” he quipped, adding, “Don’t be angry with this post. You’re free to disagree & let us cook.” Jaiswal's comment received mixed reactions, with many pointing out the ongoing concerns regarding employee well-being in high-pressure tech environments.

Previously, Jaiswal had described the work environment at xAI's Palo Alto office as high-intensity yet free from toxicity and office politics. He characterized it as a place with “an incredible amount of intensity” while maintaining “zero toxicity or politics,” suggesting that such a unique atmosphere is a rarity in Silicon Valley.

Interestingly, Jaiswal's remarks echo similar sentiments expressed by Aadit Palicha, the co-founder of the Indian startup Zepto. In a 2024 post, Palicha lightheartedly claimed to support work-life balance—“especially for the competition.” However, he later admitted during a podcast that this comment was a “stupid idea” in hindsight.

This exchange at xAI has once again highlighted the intense work culture that often dominates Silicon Valley, as well as the pride some employees take in their extreme work hours. The responses to Tajik and Jaiswal's posts reflect a broader societal debate about work-life balance, mental health, and the long-term sustainability of such work environments.

The conversation surrounding workplace norms in tech is far from new. As companies push to innovate and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market, the expectation for employees to be perpetually available can lead to significant mental and physical health challenges. While some may feel invigorated by the hustle, others are increasingly advocating for a healthier approach that values well-being over hours logged.

In summary, the debate sparked by the posts from xAI employees illustrates a critical tension within the tech industry—a struggle between ambition and well-being that continues to resonate across workplaces in America. As companies like xAI navigate this landscape, the challenge will be to foster an environment that encourages productivity without sacrificing the health and happiness of its workforce.