VERMONT January 22, 2026 Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has once again voiced his apprehensions about the swift evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, emphasizing the need to ensure these technologies serve everyday Americans rather than solely empowering the ultra-wealthy.
In a clip shared on X from his recent guest spot on comedian Theo Von’s podcast “This Past Weekend,” Sanders highlighted the breakneck pace of AI development.
“This stuff is moving very, very quickly,” Sanders said in the video, gesturing emphatically. “It is being pushed by the wealthiest people in the world who, in my view, could care less about ordinary people. Who want more wealth and more power.”
The senator, known for his progressive stance on economic issues, called for a deliberate slowdown in AI’s rollout to evaluate its societal impact. He acknowledged the technology’s upsides, such as enhancing medical diagnostics or boosting productivity to potentially reduce the standard workweek from 40 to 20 hours—if benefits are equitably distributed.
“If you’re working in a crap job in a factory, and AI can increase worker productivity so you could work 20 hours a week rather than 40 hours a week… is that a good thing? I think it is,” Sanders explained. However, he stressed the importance of companies sharing profits with employees, framing the core dilemma: “Who is AI and robotics going to work for? Does it work to improve human life? Or does it work to make the billionaires even richer? That’s the question that we have got to focus on.”
The full episode, numbered #635 and available on platforms like YouTube and Spotify, also touches on topics such as nurses’ strikes and challenges to the two-party political system. This marks Sanders’ second appearance on Von’s show, following a 2023 interview that similarly blended humor with serious policy discussions.
Posted on January 22, the X clip has quickly amassed over 27,900 views, 473 likes, and 93 reposts, sparking a range of responses. Supporters echoed Sanders’ call for equitable tech advancement, with one user noting, “AI & robotics: Will they help everyday people, or just make the rich richer & more powerful? Regulation + open access will decide.”
Critics, however, dismissed his views as antiquated or ideologically driven. One reply stated, “You’re stuck in the stone age,” while another accused him of promoting “evil socialist” policies. A more balanced commenter suggested the country is ready for independent candidates to move beyond partisan extremes.
Sanders’ comments come amid growing global debates on AI regulation, with experts warning of job displacement and ethical risks. As a longtime advocate for workers’ rights, the senator’s perspective aligns with his broader critiques of wealth concentration, a theme central to his political career.
The podcast episode, described by Von on Instagram as a discussion on “fears around AI” among other issues, underscores the unlikely but engaging crossover between politics and comedy.
About The Author
