Senator Bernie Sanders referred to “AI and Robotics” revolution a “hundred times” more powerful than the industrial revolution and warned that humanity’s “most sweeping technological change” is being led by the world’s wealthiest persons.
Speaking at the Sanders Institute Gathering on the discussion ‘AI and Robotics: Where Do We Go From Here?” on Wednesday, Senator Bernie along with Congressman Ro Khanna and Canadian author journalist Naomi Klein discussed the job and economic implications of an AI automated future. The duo warned that artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics could change the economy in a big way, and not always in a good way.
Speaking at the public discussion, Sanders said AI is growing at a rapid pace and could have a huge impact on people’s lives.
Sanders also raised concerns about who is controlling this technology. He said it is being led by very rich people and big companies, not ordinary citizens. “This revolution is being pushed by the wealthiest people in the world,” he said.
Khanna agreed and said many tech companies are focusing more on profits than people. “They’re using technology to eliminate workers and maximize their profits,” he said. He explained that machines and AI are already replacing jobs, and this could get worse in the future.
Talking about solutions, Khanna said the government must take action to protect workers. “Are we going to let a few billionaires call the shots, or are we going to make sure the technology is used to enhance workers?” he asked.
Both leaders also warned about job losses in sectors like driving, factories and even office work. According to Sanders, the number of job losses would be immense if automation persisted unregulated.
However, while acknowledging the potential risks, they noted that artificial intelligence could provide some advantages if regulated appropriately. The potential benefits include improved healthcare and education. They made it abundantly clear that proper regulation was essential.
In simple terms, their message was clear: AI can help society, but only if it is controlled in a way that supports people, not just big companies.
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