Senator Bernie Sanders is organizing a briefing for his colleagues to address the rapid development of artificial intelligence. As a ranking member of the Senate HELP Committee, Sanders advocates for stricter oversight, citing concerns that current AI systems lack sufficient democratic accountability.
A report from the committee, published in late 2025, estimates that automation could displace nearly 100 million US jobs over the next ten years. Specific projections suggest that 47% of truck drivers, 64% of accountants, and 89% of fast food workers face potential replacement by AI.
In March 2026, Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposed the AI Data Center Moratorium Act, noting that over 500 localities oppose new data center construction. Additionally, in April 2026, the senator hosted a summit for US and Chinese scientists to discuss technology risks.
On August 10, 2026, Sanders issued a public demand to the CEOs of OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, calling for a pause in AI development due to reports of unpredictable model behavior. He also introduced the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act to establish public ownership stakes in major AI firms.
