Portrait of Bernie Sanders
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Bernie Sanders on Artificial Intelligence

Worker-Centric AI Regulation (strong)

Senator Bernie Sanders views Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics as revolutionary and transformative technologies that will fundamentally change the economy, politics, and humanity itself. He emphasizes that the central question is not whether these technologies will advance, but rather who will control them and who will ultimately benefit from their proliferation.

Sanders fears that without immediate government intervention, the unprecedented productivity gains from AI and automation could be devastating for the working class, potentially replacing millions of jobs and leading to massive unemployment. He argues that the current dynamic already sees benefits accruing to the wealthy at the expense of workers, a trend he expects AI to accelerate.

Consequently, Bernie Sanders insists that Congress must act now to shape the trajectory of this technology, demanding that its function must be to improve life for ordinary people, not just to make figures like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg even richer. He suggests slowing down development, perhaps through a moratorium on data centers, to allow society time to adapt and establish necessary safeguards.

Context

Bernie Sanders's focus on Artificial Intelligence is consistent with his lifelong political advocacy, which prioritizes the well-being of the working class over corporate profits. His existing platform strongly emphasizes labor rights, reducing income inequality, and regulating the power of the wealthy elite, all of which are directly challenged by the rapid, unregulated advancement of AI.

His concerns are amplified by reports indicating massive potential job displacement across various sectors, including registered nursing and accounting. Sanders frames the AI revolution through the lens of class struggle: whether the technology will serve the interests of the corporate oligarchs or the general public.

Actions Taken

  1. Congressional address
    Participated in a Senate discussion on emerging AI legislation and ethical safeguards, delivering a forceful warning on the Senate floor.
  2. Policy report
    Released a report suggesting AI and robotics could replace nearly 100 million jobs in America over the next decade, citing specific sectors.
  3. Media appearance
    Held an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper to discuss the need for regulation and the potential societal disruptions caused by AI.

Key Quotes

AI and robotics are revolutionary and transformative technologies. They must benefit all of us, not just a handful of billionaires.

Senate.gov communication to Vermonters November 24, 2025 — Stating the core principle for guiding AI development.

I think we need to take a deep breath. and I think we need to slow this thing down one way to do it would probably be a moratorium on data centers.

YouTube (CNN interview) December 28, 2025 — Suggesting a regulatory measure to manage AI's rapid advance.

Unless we change the political dynamics, the benefits are going to accrue to the people on top at the expense of working people. That to me is the most important issue.

Futurism article July 15, 2025 — Expressing concern over AI's impact on income inequality.

If we do not act, AI, automation and robotics could be devastating for the working class.

Senate.gov communication to Vermonters November 24, 2025 — Warning about the negative labor market potential of AI.

Related Positions

  • 32-hour work week Sanders suggests that if AI radically improves worker productivity, the standard work week should be substantially reduced while maintaining current pay.
  • Reducing income and wealth inequality This is the central lens through which Sanders evaluates AI's benefits, demanding that productivity gains not solely go to the top one percent.
  • Worker ownership/cooperatives His general support for worker control aligns with ensuring workers benefit directly from AI-driven efficiency, not just shareholders.

Comparison

  • Elon Musk, Bill Gates: These figures are cited as examples of the wealthy elite whose profits from AI are set to increase, while workers stand to lose jobs without guaranteed support structures.
  • Tech CEOs: Sanders pushes back against the narrative that innovation should proceed regardless of consequences, rejecting the idea that the public must simply adapt while CEOs make money.