Bernie Sanders, the well-known Senator from Vermont, warned in an interview with Gizmodo about the consequences of the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence technology for the working class. He emphasized that the key question is not “how dramatic the changes are,” but rather “who benefits the most” from these developments.
According to Sanders, technology itself is neither inherently good nor bad; rather, it is the way big tech companies are using it that is concerning. He stated that these economic giants are using artificial intelligence to eliminate human jobs, weaken labor unions, and drive down wages.
This veteran senator, reflecting on the past five decades, warned: “While workers have become more productive, the fruits of their efforts have mostly gone into the pockets of executives and shareholders, while the labor force has effectively faced a lower standard of living.”
He further proposed that, by leveraging artificial intelligence capabilities, the workweek should be reduced to 32 hours without any reduction in wages. Sanders also warned that the expansion of chatbots and robots not only increases the risk of unemployment but can also contribute to growing feelings of isolation, erosion of social bonds, and mental health crises.
In another part of the conversation, Sanders referred to predictions by some leading AI experts who envision scenarios in which humans lose control over technology, and the tools they have created turn into a threat to themselves.
In conclusion, Sanders emphasized the need for a global decision on the future of artificial intelligence: “Is this technology going to threaten human dignity, or will it become a tool to eradicate poverty and improve human lives? The choice is ours.”
