The always-on economy

Venture capitalist Konstantine Buhler argues that AI's real impact in the next 5-7 years won't be full automation but instead enabling "always-on" operations that remove temporal constraints from the economy.

Several sectors have already achieved continuous operation through AI. Financial markets now operate 24/7 through electronic market makers, allowing consumers to trade at any hour. Healthcare companies like Viz.ai provide expert-level stroke detection around the clock in 40% of U.S. hospitals, whilst AI-powered surveillance systems like Verkada monitor security continuously.

The next phase will expand always-on capabilities across more sectors. Customer service will operate continuously with AI handling front-line support, allowing small businesses to compete with large corporations in providing 24/7 care. Manufacturing will use AI-powered systems to enable autonomous production cycles, whilst medical professionals will benefit from AI documentation systems that operate continuously in the background.

This shift will flatten peak demand periods, reduce economic friction and make time zones less relevant for global competition.

The key to success lies not in complete automation, but in thoughtfully integrating AI systems to enable continuous operations whilst maintaining human oversight. This hybrid approach will create a more responsive economy that operates around the clock.

Source: Buhler, K. 2025. The Always-On Economy: AI's Real Impact in the Next 5-7 Years. Sequoia.