US Senator Bernie Sanders has warned that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence could have devastating consequences for workers, calling for a pause in AI development until lawmakers seriously confront its social and economic impacts.
Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, the Vermont senator said the US was rushing headlong into what he described as “the most consequential technology in the history of humanity” without meaningful debate or safeguards.
Warning of Mass Job Losses
Sanders cautioned that AI’s rapid adoption across industries — from customer service to healthcare and finance — risks replacing millions of workers, while enriching a small group of tech billionaires.
“This is the most consequential technology in the history of humanity,” Sanders said. “There’s not been one single word of serious discussion in Congress about that reality.”
He pointed to comments from tech leaders such as Elon Musk and Bill Gates, who have suggested that AI could make large segments of human labour unnecessary.
“What are people going to do when they have no jobs?” Sanders asked. “If people ‘won’t be needed for most things,’ how do they earn an income to feed their families?”
Pushback Against Republican AI Policy
Sanders criticised Republicans in Congress for pushing legislation that would block US states from regulating artificial intelligence, leaving oversight solely in federal hands.
President Donald Trump renewed calls in late 2025 for a nationwide ban on state-level AI regulation, arguing that a single national framework is needed to keep the US competitive globally. However, no such legislation has yet been passed.
Sanders and other progressives argue that states must retain the power to regulate AI, especially around labour protections, content moderation, and consumer safety.
Studies Support Job Loss Fears
Sanders’ warnings come amid growing evidence of AI’s potential impact on employment:
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A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study found that more than 11% of US jobs could be replaced or made obsolete by AI, particularly in human resources and logistics.
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In the UK, researchers estimated that up to 3 million jobs could be at risk over the next decade due to AI adoption.
Critics also warn that AI data centres consume massive amounts of electricity, potentially driving up energy costs for surrounding communities.
Concerns Over Children and AI Chatbots
Sanders also raised alarms about the growing use of AI chatbots by children and teenagers, warning of long-term social consequences.
“Young people are now getting most of their emotional support from AI,” he said. “If this continues, what does it mean when people are no longer getting interaction from other human beings, but from machines?”
A study cited during congressional hearings suggested that one in eight US teenagers has already turned to AI chatbots for emotional support.
Progressive Allies Echo Warnings
Other progressive lawmakers have echoed Sanders’ concerns. In November, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned during a House hearing that unchecked AI investment could create a massive economic bubble.
“We’re talking about a massive economic bubble,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “Depending on the exposure, this could pose 2008-style threats to economic stability.”
Calls for a Rethink, Not a Ban
While Sanders stopped short of calling for a total ban on AI, he urged lawmakers to slow development and prioritise workers, children, and communities before corporate profits.
“The science-fiction fear of AI running the world is not as outrageous as people think,” Sanders said.
The debate over AI regulation is expected to intensify in 2026 as lawmakers grapple with balancing innovation, economic stability, and human welfare.
