A Reddit user's casual question to ChatGPT—“What's your hottest take?”—unexpectedly sparked a critique of modern workplace norms and capitalism. The AI's response re-examined the popular mantra, “Work smarter, not harder,” revealing how it often benefits employers more than employees.

ChatGPT remarked, “The phrase ‘work smarter, not harder’ is just capitalism trying to convince you to squeeze more out of yourself for the same paycheck.” Initially surprised, the user sought clarification, expecting the mantra to promote doing less work. Instead, the AI explained that, in practice, the concept frequently translates to optimizing productivity with fewer resources, benefiting employers disproportionately.

The AI elaborated, pointing out that innovations like task automation or process improvements often lead to employees being given additional responsibilities. While efficiency increases, pay remains the same, turning workers into “more efficient cogs in the machine.”

According to ChatGPT, true “working smarter” would mean creating time for personal priorities and reducing workload, rather than maximizing output for someone else's gain. It challenged the notion that workplace efficiency always aligns with personal well-being, urging workers to critically evaluate how their efforts serve the broader system.

The user's screenshot of the exchange quickly gained traction on Reddit, sparking discussions about modern work culture and whether employees truly benefit from increased productivity. Many users resonated with the AI's critique, highlighting their own experiences of overwork under the guise of efficiency.

This unexpected perspective from ChatGPT raises questions about the deeper implications of workplace mantras and their role in perpetuating systemic inequalities.