Sen. Bernie Sanders said artificial intelligence and robotics should benefit workers – not billionaires – while warning that AI bots could exacerbate loneliness and replace human relationships among young people. (Credit: @SenatorSanders via YouTube)
Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt., warned on Sunday that artificial intelligence (AI) and robots could replace American workers and even harm the welfare of children if the technology is controlled by billionaires who prioritize profits over people.
Speaking at a “Fight Oligarchy” rally in Maine, the Vermont independent argued that AI could deepen economic inequality and worsen an ongoing mental health crisis among young people.
“Kids get lonely and lonely,” Sanders said. “I don't want the next generation to have AI bots as their friends. I want them to have other children, other people as their friends.”
Sanders said artificial intelligence and robotics are poised to be “the most transformative economic revolution in the history of this country” and warned that the technology could eliminate jobs in many industries.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a “Fight Oligarchy” rally in Orono, Maine, where he warned that artificial intelligence and robots could replace workers and deepen economic inequality. (Fox News / Fox News)
“What is the function of AI and robots?” Sanders asked the crowd. “It is to replace one's work.”
The senator pointed to automated manufacturing and the future expansion of driverless cars as examples of future disruptions to the workforce.
“Truck drivers and cab drivers, Uber drivers, Lyft drivers, etc. are going to lose their jobs in the near future,” Sanders said.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a “Fight Oligarchy” rally in Orono, Maine, where he warned that artificial intelligence and robots could replace workers and deepen economic inequality. (Fox News / Fox News)
While Sanders acknowledged that AI could provide benefits, including reducing the work week while keeping wages down, he said the technology must be regulated to ensure it benefits workers instead of wealthy tech executives.
“What we need to do is to ensure that AI and robots work for all people, not just the billionaires who develop that technology,” he said.
Sanders also warned of the potential social impacts of artificial intelligence, including misinformation and increased social isolation among children.
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Meta is reportedly considering layoffs that could affect up to 20% of its workforce as the company invests heavily in intelligence infrastructure. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
“If AI undermines our democracy by putting things on screens that you can't tell the truth about in fiction, that's a bad thing,” Sanders said.
The senator has been critical of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, saying company leaders are prioritizing employee benefits as AI advances rapidly.
“These guys are in it for the money,” Sanders said. “They want more wealth and more power, and they don't care what happens to the workers.”
The comments came as Sanders made the latest stop in his nationwide “Fight Oligarchy” tour, which has focused on wealth inequality, corporate power and opposition to President Donald Trump.
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During the speech, Sanders also accused billionaires and superPACs of trying to “own and control the Congress of the United States” and called the US political system increasingly dominated by wealthy interests.
