The use of as many AI tokens as possible, as fast as possible. Enabled by agentic coding tools that spawn subagents running unsupervised. Writing an essay uses around 10,000 tokens. Tokenmaxxers blow through billions a week, burning the planet along the way. Fat token budgets have become a job perk, and some rack up monthly six-figure bills. When not using AI is becoming a career risk, token consumption signals engagement.

Roose, Kevin (2026): More! More! More! Tech Workers Max Out Their A.I. Use