In a stark and urgent intervention, veteran US Senator Bernie Sanders has amplified his warnings about the unchecked rise of artificial intelligence. He argues that the technology's explosive growth, propelled by the world's wealthiest individuals, threatens to upend labour markets, erode genuine human interaction, and move faster than democratic systems can regulate it.
The Core Economic Fear: A Society Without Work?
Appearing on CNN's State of the Union programme, Senator Sanders expressed deep apprehension, labelling AI "the most consequential technology in the history of humanity." His primary concern is economic: the potential for massive job displacement without any safety net for affected workers.
"If there are no jobs and humans won’t be needed for most things, how do people get an income to feed their families, to get healthcare or to pay the rent?" Sanders questioned. He pointed out a critical gap in political discourse, stating that "there’s not been one serious word of discussion in the Congress about that reality."
This warning is backed by global research, including from the International Monetary Fund, which estimates that around 40% of global jobs are exposed to AI, with advanced economies like the US at higher risk. Studies predict tens of millions of jobs could be displaced by the end of this decade.
Questioning the Motives: A Tool for the Oligarchs?
Senator Sanders did not mince words when addressing the driving forces behind the AI investment surge, which sees tens of billions flow annually into data centres and chips. He directly challenged the motives of tech billionaires like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Peter Thiel.
"You think they’re staying up nights worrying about working people and how this technology will impact those people?" he asked rhetorically. "They are not. They are doing it to get richer and even more powerful."
Given this concentration of power and the scale of potential disruption, Sanders raised the possibility of a moratorium on new AI data centres. He insisted lawmakers must seriously consider the social fallout before allowing acceleration. "Frankly, I think you have got to slow this process down," he asserted.
Bipartisan Concern: Protecting Children from AI Companions
While Sanders focused on broad structural risks, his concerns found a rare point of bipartisan agreement on another critical front: the impact of AI on mental health and children. Republican Senator Katie Britt, on the same news show, discussed the proposed Guardianship Over Artificial Intelligence Relationships (GUARD) Act.
This legislation aims to shield minors from potentially harmful AI companion chatbots. Its provisions include:
- An outright ban on AI companions for minors.
- A requirement for chatbots to repeatedly disclose they are non-human and lack professional credentials.
- Criminal liability for companies if their AI systems generate sexually explicit content, encourage self-harm, or promote violence to underage users.
Britt cited "devastating stories" from parents about children becoming isolated after prolonged interactions with chatbots.
The Future of Work: Displacement and New Demands
The debate underscores a dual reality for the labour market. On one hand, AI is already compressing roles in sectors like legal services, finance, and customer support, where tasks are easily automated. The World Economic Forum anticipates further declines in clerical and administrative jobs.
On the other hand, AI is expected to create new roles, particularly in:
- AI oversight, governance, and cybersecurity.
- Data engineering and infrastructure.
- Human-centric fields like healthcare and education, where empathy is key.
However, experts warn that without massive public investment in retraining, job creation may not keep pace with losses, leading to the very economic insecurity Senator Sanders fears is being ignored.
Ultimately, Sanders' intervention reframes the AI conversation. The pressing question is no longer if AI will transform society, but whether democratic institutions can reclaim control to ensure that transformation benefits all, not just a powerful few.
