On Sunday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) warned that artificial intelligence and robotics could "replace human labor" and eliminate millions of jobs during a "Fight Oligarchy" rally in Maine, where he criticized billionaire-led automation and the growing influence of AI across the economy.
"Artificial intelligence and robotics are going to be the most transformative economic revolution in the history of this country," Sanders said during the event.
The Vermont senator argued that automation was increasingly being used to replace workers across transportation, manufacturing and other industries, pointing to driverless vehicles and factory robotics as major threats to employment.
"What is the function of AI and robotics?" Sanders asked the crowd. "It is to replace human labor."
Sanders specifically warned that truck drivers, cab drivers, Uber Technologies Inc. (UBER) and Lyft Inc. (LYFT) drivers could eventually lose their jobs as autonomous vehicle technology expands across the country.
AI Concerns
Sanders said the rapid rise of AI could deepen economic inequality if governments fail to regulate the technology and ensure workers benefit from productivity gains.
He criticized wealthy technology leaders, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, arguing that AI development was becoming concentrated among billionaires seeking greater wealth and power.
The senator also raised concerns about AI-generated misinformation and the social impact of children increasingly interacting with AI bots instead of real people.
"If AI undermines our democracy by putting stuff on screens in which you cannot tell truth from fiction, that's a bad thing," Sanders said.
He added that he did not want future generations forming friendships with AI bots instead of human relationships, warning that loneliness and mental health pressures among young people were already worsening.
Worker Fears
Sanders has recently intensified criticism of AI-driven layoffs and automation trends across major technology companies.
Earlier this month, he criticized Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) after the company laid off roughly 8,000 employees while accelerating multibillion-dollar AI investments.
He also recently warned that driverless vehicle expansion and large-scale factory automation backed by Bezos could threaten millions of transportation and manufacturing jobs across the U.S.
Sanders has also recently criticized Elon Musk over claims that artificial intelligence could eventually support a "universal high income", questioning how such programs would be funded if billionaires oppose higher taxes on extreme wealth.
