What If AI Makes Us Less Productive? (The Study Sam Altman Doesn’t Want You to See)

Cal Newport • September 15, 2025

Cal Newport

About

Cal Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown University and is also a New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including, A World Without Email, Digital Minimalism, and Deep Work, which have been published in over 35 languages. In addition to his books, Cal is a regular contributor to the New Yorker, the New York Times, and WIRED, a frequent guest on NPR, and the host of the popular Deep Questions podcast. He also publishes articles at calnewport.com and has an email newsletter.

What If AI Makes Us Less Productive? (The Study Sam Altman Doesn’t Want You to See)

Cal Newport

About

Latest Posts

Why Smart People Are Abandoning Social Media | Cal Newport

Is The Internet Becoming Television? | Cal Newport

Sam Altman’s Forgotten Essay About How to Be Productive | Cal Newport

Lessons In Deep Living From Legendary Writers | Cal Newport

You May Also Like

Boost Productivity Now

Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones with Up to 24 Hours of Battery Life, Moonlight Grey - Limited Edition

HLDIRECT 47 Inch Gaming Desk with LED Lights, Home Office Gamer Desk, Ergonomic Computer Table with Large Carbon Fiber Desktop, Computer Desk with Cup Holder &amp; Headphone Hook for Home Office, Black

FOYTOKI 2 Sets Rechargeable Hand Warmers Portable with Temperature Levels Ergonomic Design for School Office

IMGadgets 47 x 24 Inches Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk 2024, 5th Gen Quieter Motor Ergonomic Sit Stand Up Home Office Computer Desk with Height Memory Buttons, Display, 2 Headphone Holders

SEVEN WARRIOR Gaming Desk with LED Lights &amp; Power Outlets, 55&quot; Computer Desk with Monitor Shelf, Home Office Desk with Cup Holder and Headphone Hook, Ergonomic, Carbon Fiber Surface Black

2 Pack Magnetic Wireless Charger 15W Fast Mag-Safe Charger Stand Compatible with iPhone 16/15/14/13/12 Series Wireless Charging Pad for AirPods 3/2/Pro 2/Pro White Portable Mag Safe Kickstand

Magnetic Wireless Charger for iPhone: Fodable 3 in 1 Charging Station for Multiple Apple Devices - Travel Charging Pad Dock for Apple Watch iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 Pro Max Plus &amp; Airpod Global Recycled Standard

Wireless Earbuds, 2025 Bluetooth 5.4 Bass Stereo Headphones with 4 ENC Mic, 48H Playback Ear Buds with Charging Case LED Display,Sport Earphones IPX7 Waterproof for Phone, Android, Pad, White

Kasa Smart Outdoor Smart Plug by TP-Link (KP400) - Smart WiFi Outlet with 2 Sockets, IP64 Waterproof, Works with Alexa and Google Home, 2.4GHz WiFi Required, No Hub Required, Sunset &amp; Sunrise Offset

LED Desk Lamp with Dual Heads, Height Adjustable, USB Charging Port, 5 Light Modes &amp; Dimmable Brightness, Bedside Lamp for Reading, Crafting, Work, Study (White, 15W)

Hi.FANCY Portable Laptop Stand with Dual Cooling Fans for 14-17inch Laptops, Grey, 23.5 x 25.9 x 0.95cm

Laptop Stand, OMOTON Laptop Mount, Aluminum Laptop Holder Riser Stand for Desk, Compatible with MacBook Air/Pro, Dell, HP, Lenovo and All Laptops (10-15.6 inch),Silver

BESIGN LSX7 Laptop Stand with 360° Rotating Base, Ergonomic Adjustable Notebook Stand, Riser Holder Computer Stand Compatible with Air, Pro, Dell, HP, Lenovo More 10-15.6&quot; Laptops (Black) Recycled Claim Standard Blended

Zewwen Laptop Stand for Desk, Ergonomic Adjustable Foldable Computer Stand with Heat-Vent, Aluminium Alloy Laptop Riser Compatible with MacBook Air, Pro, Dell XPS, Samsung, 10”-16&quot;

Dell Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo - KM7120W

soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds, 10mm Drivers with Big Bass, Bluetooth 5.3, 30H Long Playtime, IPX5 Water-Resistant, 2 Mics for AI Clear Calls, 22 Preset EQs, Customization via App

Loading...

HLDIRECT 47 Inch Gaming Desk with LED Lights, Home Office Gamer Desk, Ergonomic Computer Table with Large Carbon Fiber Desktop, Computer Desk with Cup Holder & Headphone Hook for Home Office, Black

SEVEN WARRIOR Gaming Desk with LED Lights & Power Outlets, 55" Computer Desk with Monitor Shelf, Home Office Desk with Cup Holder and Headphone Hook, Ergonomic, Carbon Fiber Surface Black

Magnetic Wireless Charger for iPhone: Fodable 3 in 1 Charging Station for Multiple Apple Devices - Travel Charging Pad Dock for Apple Watch iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 Pro Max Plus & Airpod Global Recycled Standard

Kasa Smart Outdoor Smart Plug by TP-Link (KP400) - Smart WiFi Outlet with 2 Sockets, IP64 Waterproof, Works with Alexa and Google Home, 2.4GHz WiFi Required, No Hub Required, Sunset & Sunrise Offset

LED Desk Lamp with Dual Heads, Height Adjustable, USB Charging Port, 5 Light Modes & Dimmable Brightness, Bedside Lamp for Reading, Crafting, Work, Study (White, 15W)

BESIGN LSX7 Laptop Stand with 360° Rotating Base, Ergonomic Adjustable Notebook Stand, Riser Holder Computer Stand Compatible with Air, Pro, Dell, HP, Lenovo More 10-15.6" Laptops (Black) Recycled Claim Standard Blended

Zewwen Laptop Stand for Desk, Ergonomic Adjustable Foldable Computer Stand with Heat-Vent, Aluminium Alloy Laptop Riser Compatible with MacBook Air, Pro, Dell XPS, Samsung, 10”-16"