100 million jobs could be wiped out from the U.S. alone thanks to AI, warns Senator Bernie Sanders

 

Artificial intelligence may be driving innovation and economic growth, but according to Senator Bernie Sanders, it also poses one of the greatest threats to American workers in modern history. In a recent warning, the Vermont senator said AI could wipe out up to 100 million U.S. jobs over the next decade if lawmakers fail to act swiftly to protect workers from automation-driven displacement.

Sanders, long known as a champion of the working class, believes the AI revolution — left unchecked — could worsen inequality, destabilize the middle class, and create a new economic divide between those who control technology and those replaced by it.

“Artificial intelligence has the potential to destroy more jobs than any technology we’ve ever seen,” Sanders said. “We’re talking about tens of millions of American workers — factory workers, teachers, drivers, journalists, even coders — all at risk.”

The rise of AI and the threat to U.S. workers

Over the past two years, AI has moved from futuristic concept to everyday reality. Chatbots like ChatGPT, image generators, and automation tools are already transforming industries such as banking, healthcare, logistics, and customer service.

Companies including Amazon, Google, and IBM are investing billions in AI systems capable of performing human tasks with greater efficiency — from analyzing financial data to writing reports. While business leaders hail this as a productivity breakthrough, Sanders warns that corporate enthusiasm for AI could lead to massive layoffs, particularly among white-collar professionals once thought to be immune to automation.

“CEOs are bragging about AI replacing workers, boosting profits, and cutting costs,” Sanders said. “But who benefits when millions lose their jobs and health insurance? Certainly not the working families of this country.”

100 million jobs at risk: exaggeration or reality?

Some experts argue that Sanders’ figure — 100 million jobs — might sound alarmist. But studies by McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and the World Economic Forum lend credibility to his concern. Goldman Sachs, for instance, estimated in 2023 that up to 300 million jobs globally could be affected by AI automation, with the United States among the hardest-hit economies.

In the U.S., sectors such as administrative support, retail, transport, and finance face the highest risk. White-collar roles involving repetitive or data-driven tasks are increasingly vulnerable as AI tools take over decision-making and content generation.

“If we don’t regulate this technology responsibly,” Sanders warned, “we could see an economy where a handful of billionaires own the robots, and everyone else fights for the scraps.”

Sanders’ call for worker protections and AI regulation

Sanders has called for immediate government action to regulate AI’s use in the workplace and to ensure workers aren’t sacrificed in the pursuit of higher profits. His proposals include:

  • A national framework for AI transparency and accountability
  • A “Robot Tax” on corporations that replace human workers with machines
  • Guaranteed retraining programs to help displaced workers transition to new careers
  • Expanded social safety nets, including universal healthcare and stronger labor rights

“If AI is going to make our economy more productive, then every American should share in those gains — not just the executives and shareholders,” Sanders said.

He argues that AI’s benefits, such as improved efficiency and innovation, must not come at the cost of economic justice.

Balancing progress with protection

The senator’s warning comes amid growing public debate over the balance between technological advancement and social responsibility. AI has already begun to transform journalism, education, and healthcare — but with it comes the fear of widening wealth gaps and mass unemployment.

Sanders believes that automation without human oversight or compassion risks turning the U.S. into a two-tier society: one where the wealthy tech elite accumulate unprecedented power while millions of workers struggle to stay afloat.

“The question isn’t whether AI will change the world,” he said. “It’s whether we’ll let it destroy the livelihoods of the people who built this country.”

Shweta Sharma