As AI companies rave about how products are revolutionizing productivity, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) wants to spend money on places with automatic mouths in the tech industry.
In a recent interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, Sanders argued that the time saved with AI tools should be returned to workers to spend with their families.
“Technology is going to work to improve us, not just those who own technology and those who own CEOs of large companies,” Sanders said. “You’re a worker and your productivity is improving as we give you AI, right??
It is a concept that will be a relief for most people, and it is a terrible fear for anyone who has been to Davos. What is the key to life if you don’t take every moment you can to promote shareholder value?
For Tech Elite, the promise of AI-driven productivity increases means that businesses can do more as workers are freed to take on more tasks. However, for workers, this efficiency can mean completing existing workloads in a short time without pay loss, so if you’re lucky you can take part in a child’s Little League match.
“And by the way, it’s not a radical idea,” Sanders said. “There are companies all over the world that are doing it with success.”
In the UK, for example, 61 companies (approximately 2,900 workers) piloted four-day workers in the second half of 2022. Of the 23 companies that shared financial data, revenues remained roughly the same from the start to the end of the trial, up 1.4% on average.
Kickstarter has been operating in four-day week since 2021, but Microsoft Japan piloted the four-day week week in 2019, reporting a 40% increase in productivity.
“Let’s use technology to benefit our workers,” Sanders said. “It means giving more time with your family, friends and education, whatever you want to do.”
