Bernie Sanders Warns AI Could Displace 100 Million American Workers

In an opinion piece for Fox News, the Vermont senator identified billionaire figures like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg as the primary architects of a shift that favors short-term corporate profits over public interest. Sanders contends that the deployment of robotics and autonomous systems is designed specifically to slash labor costs and weaken the bargaining power of the workforce.

The senator’s latest report, The Big Tech Oligarchs' War Against Workers, highlights that the transition is already underway. From FedEx utilizing driverless trucks on the I-45 corridor to Walmart’s reliance on autonomous delivery in Arkansas, the displacement of human labor is moving from theoretical concern to economic reality. According to the findings, the next decade could see the automation of nearly half of all truck driving roles and over 80% of fast-food positions.

Policy Proposals for an Automated Economy

Sanders remains critical of the current federal approach, accusing the Trump administration of actively facilitating this displacement by appointing industry executives to policy roles and dismantling labor protections. To counter these trends, he advocates for a radical restructuring of labor laws. His proposed platform includes a mandatory 32-hour workweek, the implementation of a 'robot tax' on companies that replace humans with machines, and legislation to guarantee workers seats on corporate boards. By promoting broader employee ownership and banning stock buybacks, Sanders aims to ensure that the gains from emerging technology are shared across the economy rather than concentrated among a small group of tech elites.