Artificial intelligence is racing ahead, and Sen. Bernie Sanders says Congress is barely keeping up — if at all.
In an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, the Vermont independent delivered a warning about AI’s growing power, arguing that wealthy tech elites are driving the technology. At the same time, lawmakers fail to confront its economic and social consequences.
Speaking with CNN anchor Jake Tapper, Sanders described AI in stark terms, saying, “This is the most consequential technology in the history of humanity.”
He said AI will fundamentally reshape both the United States and the world. But he argued that Congress, the media, and the public have not had the serious discussion the moment demands.
Sanders pointed directly to who he believes is steering the AI boom: “It is the richest people in the world,” naming Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Peter Thiel as key figures pouring massive sums into AI development.
Job loss fears and a lack of answers
A central concern for Sanders is what widespread automation could mean for workers. He pointed to warnings from tech leaders themselves, citing statements made by Elon Musk and Bill Gates about AI replacing jobs on a massive scale.
“If there are no jobs and humans won’t be needed for most things, how do people get an income to feed their families, to get health care or to pay the rent?” Sanders asked. He said Congress has failed to seriously address what happens to workers if AI-driven productivity eliminates millions of jobs, calling the silence in Washington troubling.
“There’s not been one serious word of discussion in the Congress about that reality,” he added.
Call for a pause on data centers
One of Sanders’ most concrete proposals was a potential pause on new AI data centers, which are rapidly being built across the United States and consume massive amounts of electricity.
“I think we need to be thinking seriously about a moratorium on these data centers,” Sanders said. “Frankly, I think you’ve got to slow this process down,” he added, arguing that communities are already seeing higher energy costs as infrastructure expands.
Sanders pushed back on arguments that slowing development would hurt innovation, saying the core purpose of technology should be to improve human life — not simply boost corporate profits.
Mental health and children in the AI era
Beyond economics, Sanders said he is deeply concerned about AI’s impact on mental health, especially among young people.
“Young people now are spending an enormous amount of time with AI,” he said, warning that some children are getting emotional support from machines rather than people.
Sanders called for Congress to “vigorously study the impact that AI is having on the mental health of our country,” and said lawmakers must be willing to intervene if evidence shows AI is increasing isolation or loneliness.
Regulation stalled as power and politics collide
Despite bipartisan concern in pockets of Congress, Sanders suggested powerful financial interests are slowing meaningful regulation. He pointed to political spending by tech leaders and the influence of well-funded super PACs as major obstacles.
“These guys have unbelievable wealth, unbelievable power,” Sanders said, arguing that AI regulation has become tied to broader questions about democracy itself.
While President Trump has recently pushed for a national standard that would prevent states from regulating AI themselves, Sanders and some of his colleagues believe the risk of doing nothing is too high.
Also read: The AI Security Institute says 33% of UK citizens use AI for emotional support, with nearly 10% doing so weekly and 4% daily.