Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders demanded a pause in AI development while warning that tech billionaires are prioritizing profits over American workers who face massive job displacement.
Story Highlights
- Sanders claims AI will eliminate millions of jobs while enriching tech elites like Musk and Gates
- Vermont senator attacks Republican Congress for preventing state-level AI regulations
- MIT study shows over 11% of U.S. jobs could be replaced by artificial intelligence
- Progressive lawmakers fear that AI chatbots are replacing human interaction for American children
Sanders Attacks Republican AI Approach
Senator Bernie Sanders launched a broadside against Republican leadership during his CNN appearance, claiming Congress has failed to address AI’s impact on working Americans.
The Vermont progressive accused the GOP-controlled legislature of creating a “dangerous future” by centralizing AI regulation at the federal level. Sanders criticized President Trump’s support for legislation that would prevent states from implementing their own AI restrictions, arguing this approach prioritizes big tech interests over worker protection.
Sen. Bernie Sanders warned that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence poses profound risks for American workers and society, arguing that the billionaires driving the technology's development are motivated by profit and power rather than public… https://t.co/hNpyil3iJ4
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 28, 2025
Tech Billionaire Profits Over Worker Concerns
The two-time presidential candidate directly targeted prominent tech leaders, questioning whether Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Peter Thiel consider working-class Americans when developing AI systems.
Sanders quoted predictions from these industry leaders suggesting work will become “optional” as robots replace human labor across multiple sectors. His comments reflect growing progressive anxiety about wealth concentration among tech elites while middle-class families face economic uncertainty from technological displacement.
Massive Job Displacement Predictions
Recent studies support concerns about AI’s employment impact, with MIT research indicating over 11 percent of current U.S. jobs could become obsolete through AI adoption.
Healthcare, finance, human resources, and logistics positions face particular vulnerability according to the analysis. Similar research from the UK’s National Foundation for Educational Research projects 3 million job losses within the next decade, suggesting this challenge extends beyond American borders.
Children’s Emotional Dependency on AI Technology
Sanders raised alarming questions about AI chatbots replacing human relationships, particularly among American youth seeking emotional support. Congressional hearings in November revealed that one in eight teenagers now turns to artificial intelligence for emotional guidance rather than human interaction.
The senator warned this trend could fundamentally alter humanity’s social fabric, asking what happens when machines become primary sources of comfort and advice for developing minds.
Economic Bubble Warnings From Progressive Leaders
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez echoed Sanders’ concerns during November hearings, comparing current AI investment patterns to conditions preceding the 2008 financial crisis.
Progressive lawmakers argue that massive capital flows into artificial intelligence development create unsustainable market conditions that could trigger widespread economic instability.
These warnings come as AI infrastructure demands drive up energy costs in communities hosting data centers, creating additional burdens for working families already struggling with inflation.
