‘Pause for a Moment’: Sanders Cautions that the US Is Unprepared for the Rapid Expansion of the Upcoming AI Revolution

Recently, Bernie Sanders expressed grave concerns regarding the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that both Congress and the American public are woefully unprepared for what he termed a potential “tsunami” of changes. During an event at Stanford University, alongside congressman Ro Khanna, Sanders urged for immediate policy interventions to “slow this thing down” as tech companies rush to develop increasingly sophisticated AI systems.

Sanders described this moment as perhaps the “most dangerous” in the contemporary history of the United States, stating, “The Congress and the American people are very unprepared for the tsunami that is coming.” His bleak outlook reflects the urgency of the situation as technological innovations advance at an unprecedented pace.

Khanna, who has a progressive stance and represents the Silicon Valley area, echoed Sanders’s worries, describing the current climate as a “new gilded age,” where technology magnates operate under the delusion that they are “heroic conquerors” of a bygone era. “That’s just not my observation,” he commented. “That’s what they tell me.”

While Khanna and Sanders opted not to disclose the specific tech executives they met during their Californian meetings, the congressman noted they engaged with “senior leaders” from “the most prominent tech companies”. He affirmed the significance of these dialogues, stating, “I think it was important for both Senator Sanders to hear from tech leaders and for tech leaders to hear from Senator Sanders, who represents and understands the concerns of many working-class Americans.”

During his address, Sanders reiterated his call for a moratorium on the expansion of AI data centers, suggesting that it could help “slow down the revolution and protect workers” while policymakers catch up to the developments in AI.

Khanna, on the other hand, is advocating for a different approach, opting against a moratorium. Instead, he proposes “steering” AI development, encouraging the U.S. to adopt a “Singapore model” for managing data center growth, which would emphasize renewable energy and water efficiency. He articulated seven guiding principles to prevent the “oligarchic capture and dominance” of wealth generated through AI innovation, asserting, “We must ask not what America can do for Silicon Valley, but what Silicon Valley must do for America.” Khanna’s rhetoric hints at his potential aspirations for a presidential run in 2028.

The Stanford event rounded off a visit to California, a state where Sanders previously achieved success in the 2020 presidential primary. During this trip, he also mobilized crowds during his “Fight Oligarchy” tour. In Los Angeles, he delivered a scathing attack on billionaire greed, formally launching an initiative proposing a one-time 5% tax on residents with net worth exceeding $1 billion—an idea that has provoked some wealthy tech leaders to consider relocating.

At Stanford, Sanders delved into the implications of AI not only for labor markets but also for personal well-being and social interactions. He recounted a humorous yet concerning anecdote about a restaurant in Washington D.C. offering a Valentine’s Day special for people and their “AI buddies,” which elicited laughter from the audience. However, he added a sobering note, stating, “It may seem funny, but the truth is that a lot of people are becoming dependent upon AI for their emotional support. What is the long-term impact of that? What is the long-term impact if we lose work as an important part of our lives? What do we do with our lives?”

Sanders read various experts’ predictions regarding automation, citing alarming forecasts that suggest AI and robotics could result in the loss of tens of millions of jobs across multiple sectors, including trucking, fast food, and numerous white-collar positions.

Concerns are mirrored in public opinion, as citizens express worry over the efficacy of federal regulations regarding the burgeoning technology. A recent Pew Research survey in 2025 revealed that 64% of respondents believed AI will lead to job loss in the next 20 years, with only 17% perceiving a positive impact from AI innovations in the same time frame.

Leaders of tech companies emphasize the belief that AI will enhance productivity and create new employment opportunities, just as past technological leaps have done. However, critics like Sanders argue that the rapid pace of these developments poses risks of enriching a small group of billionaires while exacerbating inequality and leaving lawmakers and the public unprepared to respond effectively.

Sanders called upon his colleagues in Washington—and the wider public—to engage in a serious discussion about the future of work as AI continues to disrupt various facets of society, including the economy, democratic institutions, and personal lives. He poignantly articulated, “AI and robotics are neither good nor bad. The question is: will a handful of billionaires benefit from it, or will the general public benefit?”