Sanders Warns AI Could Lead to Humans Losing Control of Earth

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has voiced concerns over the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, cautioning that they could lead to a scenario where humans lose control of the planet.

Sanders, along with Representative Ro Khanna, addressed the potential dangers of AI during a lecture at Stanford University, following meetings with tech leaders in California. Sanders emphasized that both the American public and the government are largely unaware of the risks posed by the accelerating pace of AI development.

According to Sanders, Congress and the American people are “utterly unprepared for the tsunami that is coming,” referring to the widespread impact of AI technologies on society.

He described the proliferation and widespread use of these new technologies as potentially the most dangerous moment in American history, adding that AI could create a situation where humanity loses control.

Despite differing political views, Sanders and Khanna share concerns about AI. Khanna, a Democrat who supports Silicon Valley, warned of a new Gilded Age led by tech billionaires who view themselves as “heroic conquerors in a different era.”

Sanders questioned the loyalties of wealthy individuals and Silicon Valley leaders investing heavily in AI and robotics, suggesting they prioritize their own interests over those of the American working class.

Khanna has proposed a seven-pillar plan to mitigate the negative effects of AI, including halting the construction of data centers and focusing on legislation to regulate the technology and its applications.

Khanna noted that a small number of wealthy individuals are controlling this new technology and determining its course, stating, “In the hands of a few billionaires, the priority has been eliminating jobs and making profits.”