Senator Bernie Sanders delivered a stark warning that artificial intelligence and automation could eliminate 100 million American jobs over the next decade, marking the most aggressive projection yet from a major political figure about AI's workforce impact.

The Vermont progressive's sobering forecast comes as Congress grapples with how to respond to AI's rapidly accelerating displacement of human workers across industries from customer service to software development. Sanders' warning amplifies growing calls for immediate federal intervention to address what economists are calling the most significant labor disruption since the Industrial Revolution.

Congressional Democrats Push 'Robot Tax' Solution

Following Sanders' warning, Congressional Democrats are rallying behind proposals for a "robot tax" on companies that replace human workers with AI systems. The proposed legislation would require employers to pay additional taxes when automation directly leads to job cuts, with revenue directed toward worker retraining programs and social safety nets.

"We cannot allow a handful of billionaire tech executives to automate away millions of good-paying American jobs while working families bear the cost," Sanders said in his statement. "If companies want to replace workers with robots, they must pay their fair share to support the communities they're disrupting."

The robot tax proposal has gained momentum as AI-attributed layoffs accelerate across corporate America. Recent data shows companies citing AI as a substantial factor in over 48,000 job cuts in 2025 alone, with the pace of AI-related displacement increasing month over month.

Hawley Bill Targets AI Layoff Transparency

Separately, Senator Josh Hawley has introduced legislation requiring employers to report when AI "was a substantial factor" in mass layoffs. The bill would mandate detailed disclosure of:

  • Specific AI technologies used to replace human workers
  • Number of positions eliminated due to automation
  • Timeline and implementation details of AI deployment
  • Impact assessments on local communities and displaced workers

Hawley warned that "experts project AI could drive unemployment up to 10 to 20% in the next five years" without proper oversight and intervention. The bipartisan support for AI job tracking legislation signals growing recognition that current labor statistics fail to capture automation's true impact.

The 100 Million Jobs Projection

Sanders' 100 million jobs figure aligns with recent academic research showing AI's potential to automate tasks across broad swaths of the American economy. MIT studies suggest current AI systems could already handle work representing 11.7% of US wages, affecting approximately:

  • Finance and insurance workers (32% of roles at risk)
  • Professional services (28% of positions vulnerable)
  • Administrative and support roles (41% facing automation)
  • Information sector jobs (35% susceptible to AI replacement)

The projection extends beyond blue-collar manufacturing to white-collar knowledge work, where AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and specialized industry software are rapidly automating tasks previously requiring human expertise.

Corporate America's AI Acceleration

Major corporations continue announcing AI-driven workforce reductions despite political pressure. Recent examples include:

  • Salesforce reducing customer support from 9,000 to 5,000 employees using AI agents
  • Amazon cutting 14,000 corporate positions while investing $80 billion in AI infrastructure
  • Microsoft eliminating 15,000 roles as AI automates software development and testing
  • Duolingo, Klarna, and others explicitly citing AI capabilities as justification for layoffs

CEO statements increasingly acknowledge AI's role in workforce decisions. "We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today," Amazon's Andy Jassy said in a recent earnings call, reflecting a new corporate candor about automation's employment impact.

The Political Response Intensifies

Sanders' warning represents a significant escalation in political rhetoric around AI displacement. The self-described democratic socialist has long advocated for worker protections against technological disruption, but the 100 million figure puts concrete numbers on what was previously abstract policy discussion.

The robot tax proposal faces significant challenges, including:

  • Definitional complexity – determining what constitutes AI-driven job replacement
  • Corporate opposition – tech companies argue automation drives innovation and competitiveness
  • Implementation difficulties – tracking and auditing AI deployment across industries
  • Economic concerns – potential impacts on American companies' global competitiveness

However, growing public concern about AI's workforce impact is creating political momentum for unprecedented intervention in technology deployment decisions.

What's Next for American Workers

Sanders' stark projection forces a critical question: Can American society adapt quickly enough to AI's disruptive pace? Traditional policy responses like job retraining programs operate on timescales measured in years, while AI capabilities advance monthly.

The senator's warning serves as a rallying cry for immediate action on:

  • Universal Basic Income pilots to support displaced workers
  • Massive retraining investments focusing on AI-complementary skills
  • Regulatory frameworks governing AI deployment in employment contexts
  • Social safety net expansion to handle rapid workforce transitions

As AI's capabilities continue expanding, Sanders' 100 million jobs warning may prove conservative. The question isn't whether AI will transform the American workforce – it's whether policymakers can respond quickly and effectively enough to ensure that transformation benefits workers, not just shareholders.

The clock is ticking, and the stakes couldn't be higher for the millions of Americans whose livelihoods hang in the balance of political decisions made in the coming months.

📰 Read Original Story at St. Louis Public Radio