So, here's a thought: what if the biggest technological revolution in history is also a giant job-eating, inequality-widening machine that a handful of billionaires are building for their own benefit? That's essentially the warning Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) delivered on the Senate floor this week, and he's proposing a pretty dramatic solution: hit the brakes.
Sanders called artificial intelligence and robotics "the most profound technological revolution in world history," but argued Congress is "way, way behind" in grappling with its fallout. His main concern? The potential for mass unemployment on a scale we haven't seen before.
He pointed to industry leaders who have voiced similar fears, including Tesla Inc. (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk and Microsoft Corp (MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates, who have both publicly suggested AI could replace most human labor. Sanders then cited a report from his committee estimating that nearly 100 million U.S. jobs could be displaced over the next decade. We're talking about truck drivers, accountants, and fast-food workers—jobs that form the backbone of the current economy.
But who's building this future? Sanders didn't mince words. He argued the AI race is being led by a small group of ultra-wealthy tech executives, name-checking Amazon.com, Inc (AMZN) founder Jeff Bezos and Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who are pouring hundreds of billions into data centers and automation.
"These multibillionaires are investing in AI and robotics because those investments will increase their wealth and power," he said. It's a classic Sanders argument: technological change isn't neutral; it's shaped by who controls the capital. He also referenced statements from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI about building systems that outperform humans at economically valuable work, underscoring the direct threat to employment.
The senator's worries go beyond just jobs. He cited warnings from AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton about the existential risk of humans losing control of advanced systems. He also raised a more immediate, tangible concern: the massive electricity and water demands of the data centers powering the AI boom.
Put it all together—job destruction, concentrated power, existential risk, and environmental strain—and Sanders says it's time for drastic action. "For all these reasons, I will soon be introducing legislation to ban the development of new AI data centers," he announced. "The time is long overdue" for Congress to confront these risks, he added.
It's a bold policy idea that lands amid other political moves targeting Big Tech's expansion. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump unveiled a "Rate Payer Protection" pledge during his State of the Union address. The plan would require large tech companies to generate their own electricity, arguing the aging U.S. power grid can't meet surging demand and that this would protect household energy costs.
Meanwhile, the tech giants Sanders criticized are not slowing down. They are ramping up what could amount to nearly $700 billion in AI-driven capital expenditures this year. Major players including Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet Inc. (GOOG), and Meta have rolled out aggressive multiyear spending plans, committing billions to GPUs, data centers, and broader AI infrastructure.
So, picture the scene: in one corner, you have senators warning of societal upheaval and proposing moratoriums. In another, a president looking to make tech companies build their own power plants. And in the center of the ring, the tech giants themselves, spending at a historic clip to build the future they envision. Sanders's speech is less a detailed policy blueprint and more a stark warning siren. He's essentially asking: Should we really let this AI train, fueled by private capital and steered by a few billionaires, barrel down the tracks without first checking where it's headed and who might get run over?
