The researcher who predicts: This is what the work week will look like in the age of AI

Prof. Udi Nissen, former head of the Budget Division at the Ministry of Finance, warns in an interview with Globes that the defense budget is spiraling out of control, the education system is deteriorating, and welfare policy benefits those who choose not to work. He presents a gap of 3.8 million shekels in net taxes between Haredi and non-Haredi households, and predicts that the work week will shrink to four days in the age of AI.

In an interview with Globes, Prof. Udi Nissen, former head of the Budget Division at the Ministry of Finance, warns of Israel's economic situation and proposes plans to address the main problems. Nissen argues that the defense budget, which grew from 65 billion shekels before October 7 to 160 billion shekels today, has "spiraled out of control" and harms education, health, and welfare. He points to the deterioration of the education system, noting that the 2025 PISA test scores are the lowest since 2000. Nissen presents new research he conducted with Dr. Hila Axelrod, showing that over a lifetime, a non-Haredi Jewish household pays 3.8 million shekels more in net direct taxes than a Haredi household, and claims that welfare policy benefits those who choose not to work. He predicts that the work week will likely shrink to four days in the age of AI, and calls for determined reforms to reduce the cost of living, while emphasizing public apathy on the issue.