Bernie Sanders Saw This Coming

What if we wipe out manufacturing jobs in America? Do you think that is a good idea? No, Bernie, I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Should your child be connected to an AI bot? No, Bernie, it’s terrible. I am afraid of it.

How about compromising your privacy? Is that a good idea? No. I feel that privacy is very important. Good.

How, in the face of AI, do we deal with all these challenges? When you tell people, “What do you think? You’re working 50 hours a week now, 40 hours a week. We’re going to cut your work week down to 20, 30 hours, and you’re going to get paid the same. How about that?”

“Hey, I agree with that.”

I mean, I agree with that.

Yes. Well, so does everyone else.

I really like to work, but the point is taken.

We will allow you to work longer hours.

Thank you.

But if AI creates wealth, should that wealth benefit you and everyone else, and my grandchildren? Or Mr. Musk and his friends? You know, I think 90 percent of people are on our side on that question.

I know you don’t last long with the Musks of this world…

I don’t.

You don’t, but you were with Sam Altman recently. I think you sat together for an hour, basically, about the idea of ​​economic development. You said Altman was, quote, “I’m not interested in the idea.” You also showed him that he is a good politician.

Yes.

How do you see him when you meet him?

He is a wise man.

A wise man?

Yeah, he’s a very smart guy, and he’s very personable, and I think he’s a good salesman, that’s what he does.

I think a good politician. These are smart guys. They were trying to tell us a few years ago, “Oh, AI is great. It’s amazing. Everyone will benefit.” And now he sees many people do not believe that.

So you’re sitting there, you’re Sam, and some of these guys, “Okay, what’s your answer?”

“Well, what am I going to do … I’ve got to give the American people something. What do you think? We’ll give you 5 percent of the goodness of that thing. Because we’re good guys. For the goodness of our own hearts.”

So they have to figure out how to sell their products and their changes to the American people, and that’s one way. Trump is the same way. You know, I don’t believe a word Trump says. But when I announced (sovereign wealth fund), he came back, “Oh, that’s an interesting idea.”

Is there a world where the Altmans, the tech companies, get in front of the lawmakers, where they realize they have such a bad optics that they have to do more than what they are doing to please the American people?

I think you will see this happening. But the story is not, “Okay, you forced me. I’ll give you a few thousand dollars a year. Story is power.”