On Sunday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) warned that artificial intelligence and robotics could "replace human labor" and eliminate millions of jobs during a "Fight Oligarchy" rally in Maine, where he criticized billionaire-led automation and the growing influence of AI across the economy.
"Artificial intelligence and robotics are going to be the most transformative economic revolution in the history of this country," Sanders said during the event.
The Vermont senator argued that automation was increasingly being used to replace workers across transportation, manufacturing and other industries, pointing to driverless vehicles and factory robotics as major threats to employment.
"What is the function of AI and robotics?" Sanders asked the crowd. "It is to replace human labor."
Sanders specifically warned that truck drivers, cab drivers, Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:UBER) and Lyft Inc‘s (NASDAQ:LYFT) drivers could eventually lose their jobs as autonomous vehicle technology expands across the country.
