Bernie Sanders Warns of AI and Robotics Threat to Jobs, Criticizes Musk's Influence on Federal Workforce

Sanders: 'The job you have today ain't going to be here in 10 or 15 years'

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued a warning to all workers in the United States, proclaiming during a town hall that the jobs currently filled by employees around the country are not going to be there in the next decade. "I want everybody to think about this. Most people- we have millions of federal employees. Most people are not federal employees. And I think many people are saying, 'Wow, that's outrageous. I really feel for these federal employees thrown out on the street,'" Sanders said during the Wednesday night town hall moderated by CNN host Anderson Cooper. "But I want you to think about this. If Musk can do this to federal employees, some of whom are in unions, some of whom work for years, what do you think he's going to be doing when artificial intelligence and robotics comes for your job? Guess what? The job you have today ain't going to be here in 10 or 15 years," the longtime progressive senator stated. Sanders offered a resounding rebuke of President Trump's presidency and tech billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government (DOGE) cost-cutting efforts, which have led to terminations of thousands of federal workers, and criticized the U.S. political campaign finance system. Musk, Trump's close adviser who heads six companies, was one of Sanders' main targets Wednesday night. The Vermont senator, who ran for president in the 2016 and 2020 elections, contended that Musk and his tech allies do not care about working-class employees and that they could face a similar fate as ousted federal workers in just over a decade. "And you think Musk and his friends are saying, 'Oh, my goodness, how do we protect American workers from the explosion in technology that we're seeing?' They don't give a damn about you. If this is what they could do to federal employees, think about what they could do to people in the private sector," Sanders continued. "So, bottom line there is, I am not a Luddite. I think technology has many positive things to say. But we have got to understand that new technology, A.I., robotics, has got to work for working people, not just for the billionaires and Mr. Musk," he added.

Bernie Sanders Warns: 'The Job You Have Today Ain't Going To Be Here In 10 Or 15 Years,' As AI And Robotics Threaten US Workforce

Enter your email to get Benzinga's ultimate morning update: The PreMarket Activity Newsletter Sen. Bernie Sanders is warning American workers to prepare for enormous changes as AI and robotics reconfigure the job market. Speaking at a CNN town hall with Anderson Cooper earlier this week, he advised the public to consider the threat seriously. What Happened: Sanders referred to Elon Musk's dismissal of federal workers under the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency. "If Musk can do this to federal employees, what do you think he's going to be doing when artificial intelligence and robotics come for your job?" he asked. "The job you have today ain't going to be here in 10 or 15 years." See Also: AI Is Quietly Reshaping How Companies Screen Resumes -- Nearly Half Of Hiring Managers Now Use It Why It Matters: Sanders accused Musk and tech elites of prioritizing profits above people. "They don't give a damn about you," Sanders said. "If this is what they could do to federal employees, think about what they could do to people in the private sector." "I am not a Luddite," Sanders went on to add. "But new technology, AI, robotics, has got to work for working people, not just for the billionaires and Mr. Musk." Earlier this week, Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke issued a memo announcing that the company will only recruit new workers if they can prove that AI cannot be used to do the job. Sanders' warning appears even more stark in light of this new development. Read Next: 'You Have Defeated The Wealthiest Person On Earth,' Says Bernie Sanders As He Applauds Wisconsin's Choice Of Susan Crawford Photo courtesy: Shutterstock Got Questions? Ask Which AI companies could benefit from job shifts? How will automation technologies impact labor markets? What industries will see growth from AI adoption? Which workforce training programs are emerging now? How might robotics manufacturers thrive in this climate? Who stands to gain from AI-driven efficiencies in business? What tech stocks could rise with increased automation? Are gig economy platforms positioned for expansion? Which companies may face backlash from automation? What role will government policies play in AI investments? Powered By Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Musk Firing Thousands Of Federal Workers A Warning, Says Bernie Sanders -- 'What Do You Think He'll Do When AI Comes For Private Sector Jobs?'

Enter your email to get Benzinga's ultimate morning update: The PreMarket Activity Newsletter Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is once again raising concerns about Elon Musk's sweeping job cuts in the federal government, calling them a preview of what could happen to private sector workers once artificial intelligence becomes widespread. A Broader Message About Automation and Inequality "The idea that Mr. Musk goes around with a chainsaw -- that is his metaphor -- slashing jobs all over the place... and throwing people out into the street is outrageous," Sanders said during a recent CNN town hall with Anderson Cooper. "If Musk can do this to federal employees... what do you think he's going to be doing when artificial intelligence and robotics come for your job?" Don't Miss: Inspired by Uber and Airbnb - Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets - with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share! Invest in the Future of Digital Engagement. Own a Piece of the $100 Billion Metaverse Today for Just $500. He warned that many jobs people hold today could disappear within the next decade, and he questioned whether Musk and others in the tech world are doing anything to protect American workers from the rapid changes brought by new technologies. "They don't give a damn about you." Concerns about AI replacing human jobs aren't just coming from elected officials. In a resurfaced video, OpenAI engineer Brian Wu admitted, "It's kind of deeply unfair that... a group of people can just build AI and take everyone's jobs away, and in some sense, there's nothing you can do to stop them right now." Wu said the only available options may be to "petition for regulation" or "join us and have one of the few remaining jobs." He called the outlook "rough," adding that redistributing income may be one of the only fair ways forward. Trending: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm -- invest pre-IPO from $0.55 per share now. VA Layoffs Could Cripple Veterans' Care Sanders was especially critical of a proposal to lay off 83,000 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He warned the cuts would directly harm veterans who rely on government-provided health care and benefits. "We made a commitment to the men and women who put their lives on the line that we were going to provide them with the best quality health care," Sanders said. "Throwing 83,000 workers in the VA out of their jobs will delay services and lower the quality of care." Sanders argued that these cuts aren't just about trimming budgets. He believes it's part of a broader push by conservative leaders and tech billionaires to shrink the role of government and weaken protections for workers. See Also: Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion - 'I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It' Defending Social Programs and Public Trust Sanders also took issue with what he sees as misinformation from President Donald Trump, who has claimed large numbers of Social Security recipients are defrauding the system. "It's a total absolute lie," he said. "Well over 99% of the benefits owed to people on Social Security were earned by the people." Meanwhile, Sanders blasted Trump's broad tariff policies. He said working families will end up paying the price at the checkout line. "Virtually all of those products sold in stores like Target are going to see significant increases in prices," he said. "That's going to hurt working people a whole lot." While Sanders supports innovation, he says technology and AI must work for everyone -- not just billionaires. "So, bottom line, I am not a Luddite," he said. "But we have got to understand that new technology -- AI, robotics -- has got to work for working people, not just for the billionaires and Mr. Musk." Read Next: With Shares Starting at Just $1.52, This Could be Your Chance to Invest in the Future of Healthcare. BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates. Got Questions? AskWhich AI-focused companies could benefit from job cuts?How will automation technologies reshape the job market?What industries face disruption from AI advancements?Could tech giants face backlash over job losses?What investment opportunities arise from the need for new skills?How might healthcare stocks react to VA layoffs?Which companies could thrive in an AI-driven economy?How will consumer goods companies adapt to rising prices?What regulatory changes may impact tech investments?Who benefits from automation in logistics?Powered ByMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

'They Don't Give a Damn About You' -- Bernie Sanders Says If Musk Is Firing Federal Workers With a Chainsaw, What Happens When AI Comes For Your Job?

Enter your email to get Benzinga's ultimate morning update: The PreMarket Activity Newsletter Bernie Sanders didn't come to tiptoe around the issue. In a CNN town hall moderated by Anderson Cooper last week, the 83-year-old independent senator from Vermont tore into President Donald Trump's government downsizing efforts -- and the high-profile billionaire who's become the public face of them. That billionaire is Elon Musk. He's supposedly not running the Department of Government Efficiency, but he's advising it -- loudly. He's shown up to right-wing events with a chainsaw, backed sweeping cuts to federal jobs, and championed the administration's agenda to shrink the government. And to Sanders, Musk's growing role in public policy isn't just inappropriate -- it's dangerous. Don't Miss: 'Scrolling To UBI' -- Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum. The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement -- How do you compare? "The idea that Musk goes around with his 'chainsaw,'" Sanders said, referencing Musk's appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, "is outrageous." Then came the gut punch: "Am I going to tell you the Veterans Administration is the most efficient organization in the world? No, it's not. But you don't simply - with a chainsaw, if you like - get rid of 83,000 people, then say, 'Oh, it's not going to impact the quality of care that our veterans receive.'" For Sanders, the stakes go far beyond government payrolls. He used the moment to warn what happens next -- when technology and automation come for jobs. "If Musk can do this to federal employees, some of whom are in unions... what do you think he's going to be doing when artificial intelligence and robotics comes for your job?" he asked. "They don't give a damn about you. If this is what they can do to federal employees, think of what they can do to people in the private sector." Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates. He didn't stop there. Sanders linked the job cuts and tech threats to what he's long called a "corrupt campaign finance system," pointing directly at Musk's influence in the 2024 presidential election and his threats to bankroll challengers. "When you talk about people losing faith in the American political system, it's justified," he said. "The average American says, 'Yeah, I got one vote, and Musk can spend hundreds of millions of dollars. Is that a democracy? Why should I vote?'" On trade, Sanders split from Trump's aggressive new round of tariffs. While he supports tariffs when they're "used selectively," he said Trump's approach was more about headlines than strategy. "To arbitrarily, out of nowhere, come up with a tariff that they can't even justify or explain to virtually every country on Earth is absolutely counterproductive." He also shot down the White House's claim that iPhones could be made in the U.S. without fallout. Sanders said he wasn't sure how realistic that would be -- but he knew the consequences: "immediate harm" to working people through higher prices. See Also: Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion - 'I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It' Still, in a night heavy with economic critique, Sanders carved out space for something rare: a call for global decency. "We don't have to hate China. We don't have to hate other people," he said. "Let's figure out a way to work together." His bigger point: "The goal has got to be to break down these barriers that separate us as human beings -- come together as Americans and come together globally as human beings." But even his idealism was tethered to a stark warning. Sanders closed with a blunt assessment of Trump's power grabs, including lawsuits against the press, threats to universities, and talk of a third term. "What he wants is power and wealth for his oligarch friends," Sanders said. "This is whether or not we remain a free society. Or do we all bow down to our new king, President Trump? That is not the kind of nation I think we want to become." He's older than he was during his 2016 rise -- but Sanders is still swinging. And this time, the warning isn't just about billionaires or broken systems. It's about a chainsaw, a disappearing middle class, and a future being shaped without you in mind. Read Next: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm -- invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now. With shares starting at $1.52, this could be your chance to invest in the future of healthcare. Got Questions? AskWhich tech companies will thrive amid job cuts?How could AI advancements impact job markets?What industries face disruption from automation?Which investment funds focus on AI and robotics?What stocks benefit from increased government efficiency?Which companies could be vulnerable to Musk's influence?How will tariffs affect domestic manufacturing stocks?What sectors could see growth from rising automation?Which alternative assets are gaining interest in 2025?Are there opportunities in companies affected by federal cuts?Powered ByMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs