Steve Yegge's piece, "The AI Vampire," explores how the rise of artificial intelligence is leading to heightened workloads and burnout among workers. He draws a parallel to the character Colin Robinson from "What We Do In The Shadows," describing AI as an "Energy Vampire" that drains people's energy and creativity. Yegge presents two scenarios: in the first, an employee uses AI for maximum productivity, impressing their employer but ultimately feeling exhausted and unappreciated. In the second scenario, the worker opts for minimal effort, leveraging AI just enough to get by, which could jeopardize the company's survival. Both situations highlight the precarious balance between individual and corporate value capture. Yegge describes the current work environment as fast-paced and relentless, contrasting it with the slower, more reflective society of the 1980s. He notes a concerning trend where addiction to AI tools leads to fatigue, with developers feeling the pressure to continuously produce. He points out that the culture around AI is driven by early adopters who glorify extreme productivity, creating unrealistic expectations for others. This frenzy, fueled by panicking CEOs, leaves employees feeling trapped between the need to perform and the danger of burnout. The article critiques AI-native startups, which Yegge believes are exacerbating the issue by pushing unrealistic goals and extracting value from their employees without considering long-term sustainability. He warns that many of these startups are unlikely to succeed, yet they set a tone that influences the broader tech environment. Yegge advocates for a cultural shift where individuals prioritize their well-being over relentless output, suggesting that everyone needs to "arm up" against the negative impacts of this AI-driven culture.