Bernie Sanders calls for 4-day work week, says AI boom means it’s time to clock out early

As artificial intelligence transforms the way we work, Senator Bernie Sanders is urging companies to rethink how productivity gains should benefit workers by giving them more free time, not less pay, as per a report.

Bernie Sanders Calls for a 4-Day Workweek Amid Rise in AI

During a recent conversation at 'The Joe Rogan Experience' with podcaster Joe Rogan, Sanders argued that the time saved because of AI tools shouldn’t just boost corporate profits or pile on more work, according to a TechCrunch report. Instead, it should be passed back to employees in the form of shorter work weeks, as he urged for a four-day work week, according to the report.



Sanders pointed out that, “Technology is gonna work to improve us, not just the people who own the technology and the CEOs of large corporations,” quoted TechCrunch in its report. He emphasised that, “You are a worker, your productivity is increasing because we give you AI, right? Instead of throwing you out on the street, I’m gonna reduce your work week to 32 hours,” as quoted in the report.

TechCrunch wrote in its report that Sanders's push for this concept "would be a relief to most people, and an abject horror to anyone who has ever been to Davos. What’s the point of life if you don’t take every moment you can to drive shareholder value?"

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Less Work, Same Pay — A Shift in Mindset

However, for many tech companies, AI-driven productivity gains often translate into expectations for workers to handle more tasks or risk layoffs, as per the report. But Sanders envisions a different path, finishing current work faster without cutting pay, freeing up workers’ time for their personal lives, like catching their kid’s Little League game, as reported by TechCrunch.

A Global Trend That’s Already Working

He also highlighted that, “And by the way, not a radical idea,” and added that, “There are companies around the world that are doing it with some success,” as quoted in the report.

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TechCrunch cited the example of the United Kingdom, where 61 companies (around 2,900 workers) piloted a four-day work week in the second half of 2022. It was found that out of 23 companies that shared financial data, the revenue from the beginning to the end of the trial remained almost the same, increasing by 1.4% on average, as reported by TechCrunch.

Other examples include Kickstarter, which has operated on a four-day work week since 2021, while even Microsoft Japan piloted a four-day work week in 2019, which led to a reported 40% increase in productivity, according to the TechCrunch report.

More Time to Live Your Life

Sanders said, “Let’s use technology to benefit workers,” adding, “That means give you more time with your family, with your friends, for education, whatever the hell you wanna do,” as quoted in the TechCrunch report.

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FAQs

What is Bernie Sanders proposing?
He’s calling for a 32-hour, four-day workweek, without cutting pay, due to time saved by using AI tools, as per a TechCrunch report.

Why does he think AI should lead to shorter workweeks?
Because if workers are getting more done with AI, they should be rewarded with more time for themselves, not just asked to do more.