Bernie Sanders: If AI Increases Productivity, We Should Embrace a 4-Day Workweek

While AI firms promote their advancements as revolutionary for productivity, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) urges the tech sector to substantiate these claims with tangible benefits for workers.

In a recent conversation with podcaster Joe Rogan, Sanders pointed out that the efficiency gained from AI tools should be redirected to give workers more time with their families.

“Technology should enhance our lives, not merely serve the interests of those who control it or the executives of large corporations,” Sanders asserted. “As a worker, if your productivity rises due to AI, rather than eliminating jobs, I advocate for reducing your workweek to 32 hours.”

This proposal may be refreshing for many, yet it could create tremors among elite circles. After all, what’s the point of life if there’s no chance to maximize profits for shareholders?

For tech leaders, the potential of AI to enhance productivity suggests that companies can accomplish more, as employees may take on extra roles or save on costs by downsizing their workforce. Nevertheless, for workers, this new efficiency might mean finishing tasks more quickly while retaining their pay, perhaps finally allowing them to attend their child’s Little League game.

“And just to clarify, this isn’t a far-fetched idea,” Sanders commented. “Numerous companies worldwide have successfully adopted it.”

For instance, in the United Kingdom, 61 companies (around 2,900 workers) experimented with a four-day workweek in the latter half of 2022. Among the 23 companies that reported financial outcomes, revenue remained stable, with an average increase of 1.4% during the trial.

Kickstarter has been operating with a four-day workweek since 2021, while Microsoft Japan experimented with a similar model in 2019, resulting in a reported productivity boost of 40%.

“Let’s harness technology for the benefit of workers,” Sanders concluded. “This means more time for family, friends, education, or whatever you wish to pursue.”