Bernie Sanders warns US is “not ready” for AI job disruption as Bezos’ automation plans and robotaxis spark workforce fears

The US Senator Bernie Sanders has reignited concerns over the future of American jobs, warning that rapid advances in automation and artificial intelligence (AI) could dramatically reshape the workforce before the country is prepared for the consequences.

In a recent social media post, Sanders linked growing investments in industrial automation and autonomous vehicles to broader anxieties surrounding AI’s expansion across the US economy.

“Jeff Bezos is seeking $100 billion to put robots into factories. Millions of manufacturing jobs — GONE. Driverless vehicle companies are expanding rapidly. Millions of transportation jobs — truckers, cab drivers, Uber drivers — GONE. We are not ready for what’s coming,” Sanders wrote.

However, not everyone agrees with Sanders’ bleak outlook. American businessman Marcus Lemonis pushed back, arguing that automation can complement rather than replace workers.

“Stop! Two things can be true. Robots don’t always replace people. But robots give us the ability to rapidly expand us mfg when human labor isn’t available,” Lemonis wrote, adding that skilled American workers remain “essential to our infrastructure” and deserve “more work and more pay”.

Bezos’ $100 Billion AI Manufacturing Vision

In March, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Jeff Bezos is in early discussions to raise a $100 billion investment fund aimed at acquiring manufacturing companies and integrating AI-driven automation into their operations.

According to the report, the proposed initiative would target sectors such as chipmaking, aerospace and defense, where efficiency improvements could significantly affect production and costs.

Investor materials reportedly describe the project as a “manufacturing transformation vehicle,” designed to modernize traditional industrial businesses through AI applications in production, product design and supply-chain planning.

The report also noted that Bezos has been meeting with sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East and Asia to secure backing. Bezos is reportedly involved with Project Prometheus, an AI-focused platform intended to improve product design and manufacturing processes before production begins.

However, it was also said that implementing AI in factories is considerably more complex than in software, given the operational challenges and risks inherent in physical manufacturing systems.

Robotaxis Expand Across America

At the same time, automation is accelerating in transportation. Robotaxi companies, including Waymo and Tesla, are expanding services across multiple US cities and beyond.

Driverless vehicles are already operating in states such as California and Texas, with companies aiming to expand into the Midwest and East Coast.

Citing estimates from Morgan Stanley, the report said autonomous rides in the US are projected to increase sharply in the coming years, rising from roughly 15 million rides in 2025 to nearly 750 million by 2030.

What Americans Think About AI at Work

The debate mirrors broader public uncertainty around AI. Research from Harvard Business School suggests Americans are increasingly open to automation, but with limits.

A survey led by Assistant Professor James Riley found the public currently supports automating roughly 30% of occupations based on existing AI capabilities. That figure nearly doubles to 58% when respondents were asked to imagine more advanced AI capable of outperforming humans at lower costs.

However, the study found strong resistance to fully replacing humans in professions requiring emotional trust or moral judgment, including childcare, clergy and creative roles. Riley argued that public hesitation stems not only from ethics but also from concerns about how automation could alter workplace relationships and consumer trust.

“We’re going to need to have a sober conversation informed by some rigorous analyses around where these boundaries are and why,” Riley said.

As AI investments surge and autonomous technologies expand, Sanders’ warning highlights a growing national debate on whether America is adequately prepared for a technological transformation that could redefine work itself.