A Senate report, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), has raised alarms about the potential for AI and automation to replace nearly 100 million jobs across various industries over the next decade. The comprehensive study, conducted by Democratic staffers on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, outlines the impending impact of technological advancements on the American workforce and economy. The report underscores the severe consequences for workers, particularly in sectors like fast food, customer service, and logistics, where significant job losses are projected.
As part of their investigation, the committee staff asked ChatGPT, OpenAI’s chatbot, to predict the impact of AI and automation on certain industries. The analysis revealed that of the 20 workforces assessed, 15 are expected to see more than half of their workforce replaced by AI and automation over the next 10 years. The fast food and counter employees will be the most impacted, with over 3 million workers projected to be replaced, accounting for 89 percent of the workforce. Other sectors significantly affected include customer service representatives, laborers and freight, stock and material movers, and secretaries and executive assistants, with 83%, 81%, and 80% of these workforces, respectively, at risk of replacement.
Sanders, the ranking member on the HELP Committee, has consistently warned of the consequences of widespread AI and automation. In a recent Fox News op-ed, he emphasized the risks of