U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has recently reiterated his support for a reduced working week, arguing that advances in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, should translate into more free time for workers rather than job losses or increased pressure. In a recent interview on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Sanders discussed how productivity gains driven by AI could reshape the traditional structure of work in the United States and beyond.
During the conversation, Sanders suggested that if companies benefit from increased productivity through artificial intelligence tools, then workers should also benefit directly. He described a scenario in which technology improves output so significantly that fewer working hours would be required to achieve the same or even better results.
“You’re a worker, your productivity is increasing because we give you AI, right?” Sanders said during the interview. He continued by explaining that instead of laying off employees due to technological improvements, employers and policymakers should consider reducing the standard workweek. In his view, this would allow people to maintain employment while also gaining additional personal time.
Sanders proposed that a 32-hour workweek could become a realistic goal in the future. Under this model, the traditional 40-hour workweek would be reduced, potentially moving toward a four-day work structure in many industries. He also emphasized that overtime pay protections should be strengthened so that any hours worked beyond 32 per week would be compensated at a higher rate. This approach, he argued, would discourage overwork while ensuring that employees are fairly compensated if additional labor is required.
The senator has previously introduced legislative efforts aligned with this idea. One such proposal is the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act, which he introduced last year. The bill aims to gradually shift the standard definition of full-time work in the United States from 40 hours to 32 hours per week without reducing pay. According to Sanders, this change would not happen abruptly but would be implemented over a period of several years, giving businesses time to adjust their operations and workforce planning.
In public statements and writings, Sanders has framed this proposal as part of a broader effort to ensure that economic progress benefits working people. He has argued that as automation and artificial intelligence increase efficiency across industries, the gains should not only benefit corporations or shareholders but should also improve the quality of life for employees.
“It’s time for a change — real change,” Sanders has said in reference to his proposal. He has emphasized that many working families in the United States are under significant financial and social pressure, and that reducing working hours could help address issues such as burnout, stress, and lack of time for family or education. In his view, a shorter workweek could allow individuals to spend more time with loved ones, pursue further learning opportunities, or simply enjoy improved well-being.
Sanders has also pointed out that historical shifts in labor standards have often followed increases in productivity. In previous decades, technological improvements and labor movements contributed to the establishment of the 40-hour workweek as a standard in many countries. He suggests that a similar evolution could occur again as artificial intelligence and automation continue to develop.
In his interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, Sanders expanded on the idea that technology should be used to support workers rather than replace them. He argued that if machines and AI systems are able to perform tasks more efficiently than humans, society has a choice in how to respond. One option is to reduce the workforce, but another is to reduce working hours while maintaining employment levels.
“Let’s use technology to benefit workers,” Sanders said. He explained that this could mean giving people more time for family life, personal development, education, or leisure activities. According to his perspective, the goal should not be to maintain long working hours simply out of tradition, but to adapt to modern technological realities in a way that improves overall quality of life.
Sanders also noted that the transition to a shorter workweek would likely need to be gradual. In his view, implementing such a significant change too quickly could create challenges for businesses and industries that rely on established schedules and labor systems. Instead, he suggested a phased approach over several years, allowing employers to adapt while maintaining economic stability.
Alongside discussions about work hours and productivity, Sanders also raised broader concerns about the rapid development of artificial intelligence. He has previously warned about the potential risks associated with advanced automation, including its impact on employment and even global security.
In remarks cited in media coverage, Sanders has expressed concern about the possibility of increasingly autonomous systems, including what he referred to as robotic military technology. He suggested that if warfare were to rely more heavily on machines rather than human soldiers, it could fundamentally change how political leaders make decisions about conflict.
He pointed out that historically, decisions about war involve consideration of human cost and loss of life. However, if future conflicts involve autonomous systems or robotic technologies, those human considerations could be reduced, potentially altering the ethical and political calculations behind military action. He described this as a significant issue that society will need to confront as technology continues to evolve.
Despite these concerns, Sanders’ central focus in the interview remained on the potential benefits of technological progress when managed in a way that prioritizes workers. His proposal for a 32-hour workweek is based on the idea that productivity gains should translate into more free time rather than longer or more intense working schedules.
Supporters of similar ideas often point to experiments and discussions around shorter workweeks in various countries and companies, where reduced hours have been linked in some cases to improved employee well-being and maintained productivity. Sanders’ proposal aligns with this broader debate about how modern economies should structure work in an era of rapid technological change.
Under his vision, a restructured workweek would not only address economic efficiency but also social and personal well-being. He argues that people should have more time available outside of work obligations, especially as technology continues to increase what can be achieved within a shorter time frame.
Sanders has also emphasized that this approach is intended to support working families who may struggle with long hours, limited free time, and economic pressures. By reducing the standard workweek without reducing pay, he believes workers could achieve a better balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.
In summary, Bernie Sanders has proposed a shift toward a 32-hour workweek as part of a broader response to the rise of artificial intelligence and automation. His argument is that as technology increases productivity, society should rethink traditional labor structures and ensure that workers share in the benefits through reduced working hours and improved quality of life.
