TLDR
- Senator Bernie Sanders advocates for slowing AI progress with a moratorium on data center construction.
- Sanders warns that AI could replace jobs and benefit only the wealthiest, impacting working families.
- Elon Musk predicts that AI will make work optional and reduce the relevance of money in the future.
- Bill Gates foresees AI replacing jobs in fields like healthcare and education, creating an era of “free intelligence.”
- China’s AI industry is projected to surpass $170 billion by 2025, with AI adoption growing in manufacturing and robotics.
Senator Bernie Sanders has called for a moratorium on the construction of data centers supporting AI development. In a recent statement, Sanders emphasized the need for democratic oversight as AI infrastructure grows rapidly. He warned that this “unregulated sprint” could result in technology benefiting only the wealthiest individuals, rather than society as a whole.
Sanders Advocates for Slowing Down AI Progress
In a four-minute presentation via X, Sanders argues that the rapid expansion of AI poses a threat to the livelihoods of working families. He pointed to wealthy tech figures like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg as key drivers of this technology. “Do you believe that these guys are staying up nights worrying about what AI will do to working families?” Sanders asked during his remarks.
I will be pushing for a moratorium on the construction of data centers that are powering the unregulated sprint to develop & deploy AI.
The moratorium will give democracy a chance to catch up, and ensure that the benefits of technology work for all of us, not just the 1%. pic.twitter.com/PoV5ziA4oQ
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 16, 2025
Sanders is concerned that AI and robotics could replace many jobs, leading to mass unemployment. He cited remarks from Musk and Bill Gates, who both foresee shifts in the workforce. “If AI and robotics eliminate millions of jobs, how will people survive if they have no income?” Sanders questioned. He called for careful consideration of the economic consequences of AI’s rise.
Elon Musk and Bill Gates’ View on AI, Robotics and Work
Elon Musk has long been vocal about the future of AI and its impact on work. Musk predicted that within 20 years, work could become optional, driven by advances in AI and robotics. He compared work to a pastime, like playing a sport, suggesting that people may choose to work only for enjoyment. Musk also envisions a world where AI eliminates poverty.
He suggested that the widespread use of AI and humanoid robots could make money less relevant. Despite these optimistic views, Musk did not elaborate on the steps needed to reach such a future. Apart from Musk, Bill Gates has echoed similar concerns about AI’s impact on the workforce, predicting that many jobs will be replaced by technology. Gates stated that within the next decade, AI could handle tasks currently performed by doctors and teachers.
He emphasized that AI would make expertise more accessible, reducing the need for human specialists in various fields. Gates described this shift as the era of “free intelligence,” where AI-powered solutions will be available for everyday tasks. While acknowledging the benefits of AI, Gates also noted the rapid pace of its development, which could lead to unforeseen consequences.
Analysis of AI Competitiveness Across Countries
Tracking the current AI market standings, the rankings of AI competitiveness show the United States leads with a score of 78.6. China follows with a distant second place at 36.95, while India holds third with 21.59. South Korea ranks fourth at 17.24, closely followed by the UK at 16.64.
Other notable countries in the top rankings include Singapore (16.43), Spain (16.37), UAE (16.06), Japan (16.04), Canada (15.56), and Switzerland (14.86). Despite the USA’s lead, China’s AI industry is projected to exceed US$170 billion by 2025, driven by rapid technological advancements and policy support. Key factors include the increased adoption of AI in manufacturing, with its share rising from 19.9% in 2024 to 25.9% in 2025.
Emerging applications in smart wearables and robotics also fuel growth, with AI-enabled smart device sales up 23% in 2025. China now holds approximately 60% of the global AI patents and has made strides in domestic AI chip development. The “AI Plus” initiative aims to integrate AI across six core sectors by 2027, with the intelligent economy expected to drive high-quality growth by 2030.
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