US Senator Bernie Sanders has launched a sharp critique against the world's wealthiest individuals, demanding answers about their massive investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and the potential societal upheaval it could cause. The independent senator from Vermont raised pointed questions about the future of work and survival in an era of advanced automation.
The Confrontation: Sanders vs. Tech Billionaires
During a recent appearance on CNN's State of the Union, Senator Sanders directly referenced statements from American billionaires Elon Musk and Bill Gates. He highlighted Musk's prediction that "AI and robots will replace all jobs" making work optional, and Gates's view that "Humans won't be needed for most things."
The 84-year-old politician then posed a fundamental question that resonated with millions: "Without jobs and income, how will people feed their families, get health care, or pay the rent?" He shared a clip of this exchange on social media, where it rapidly went viral, amassing over 1.8 million views within hours.
The Viral Response: UBI and Robot Tax as Solutions
The online discussion exploded with users proposing and debating potential solutions to the AI-driven displacement crisis. A central theme emerged: the need to decouple basic survival from employment.
Many advocated for a Universal Basic Income (UBI)—a regular, unconditional cash payment to all citizens—paired with universal healthcare. They argued that as machine productivity grows, UBI should increase accordingly, ensuring the benefits of automation are shared by all. "It's the only way of making sure robots literally work for all of us," one user commented.
Another popular suggestion was a robot tax. The idea involves taxing the value generated by automated labour and redistributing it to humans. Proponents believe this would not only fund social support but also be deflationary, making goods and services more affordable.
Counterarguments and Policy Critiques
Not everyone agreed with Sanders's framing. Some critics on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) argued that the senator was stuck in an outdated economic model. They contended that the problem isn't AI creating abundance, but policy failing to evolve and distribute that abundance fairly.
One user challenged, "When productivity goes to near-zero cost, the question is, why are you still thinking in scarcity models from the 1930s?" Another stated that if exponential productivity makes humans poorer, it's a policy failure, not an AI failure.
UBI: The Concept and Sanders's Stance
Universal Basic Income is a system where every adult receives a fixed, regular sum from the government without conditions. Its primary goal is to guarantee a basic level of financial security for everyone, irrespective of employment status.
While Senator Sanders agrees with the objective of eradicating poverty, UBI is not his preferred solution. He advocates for a Federal Jobs Guarantee, believing people desire meaningful work. His policy priorities include raising the minimum wage, strengthening Social Security, and implementing universal programs like Medicare for All. He has, however, expressed support for a robot tax to fund worker support programs.
Globally, no nation has adopted a full-scale national UBI yet. Initiatives are in pilot stages, such as in the Marshall Islands and several US cities. South Korea is also running regional trials.
The Indian Experiment: UBI Pilot in Madhya Pradesh
India has its own significant data point on UBI. Between 2011 and 2013, a pilot was conducted in rural Madhya Pradesh by SEWA and UNICEF. Over 6,000 individuals across eight villages received ₹750 per month for 18 months.
The results, as reported by IMS India, were promising:
- School attendance increased by approximately 20% as families could afford uniforms, books, and travel.
- Nutrition improved significantly with higher spending on pulses and vegetables.
- Households without money for food plummeted from 45% to 19%.
- Women experienced greater financial control, mobility, and safety.
- Critically, work levels did not decline; instead, families invested more in farming, skills, and small businesses, boosting productivity.
This experiment demonstrates that direct cash transfers can empower communities and improve welfare metrics without reducing the incentive to work, offering valuable insights as the global debate on AI and economic security intensifies.
