Overview

• The former Google chief made the comments in an interview published by the All-In podcast, renewing his case against flexible work in tech.
• He cautioned that U.S. companies face stiff competition from China and cited the "996" schedule to argue that winning in technology requires tradeoffs.
• He said remote arrangements blunt early-career growth, recalling how he learned by observing senior colleagues in person at Sun Microsystems.
• He previously criticized Google's flexibility in 2024 and later said he had misspoken, a history that shapes how his latest remarks are received.
• Recent coverage highlights stricter office expectations at Google, including a New York Times report that Sergey Brin urged weekday office attendance for Gemini AI teams and described 60 hours a week as a productivity "sweet spot."