Now, more than ever, we’re facing the reality of AI displacing workers. I’m not here to talk politics—I’m Switzerland. However, Bernie Sanders just held a press conference on AI taking jobs that should terrify you and wake you up.
He laid out what most of us have been quietly wondering but haven’t wanted to say out loud: AI is going to displace nearly 100 million American jobs over the next decade. Not “might.” Not “could potentially.” Will.
89% of fast food workers. 64% of accountants. 47% of truck drivers. 40% of registered nurses.
If you work in one of these fields, or manage people who do, this isn’t theoretical anymore. Consequently, it’s happening now, and it’s accelerating faster than most people realize.
Yet, here’s what Bernie got right—and what he missed entirely.
The Reckoning: Bernie’s Warning about AI Taking Jobs
Sanders didn’t mince words. A handful of billionaires—Musk, Bezos, Gates, Zuckerberg, Thiel—are investing hundreds of billions of dollars into AI development with virtually no democratic oversight. They’re shaping the future of humanity, and the rest of us are just… watching it happen.
His concerns are valid:
On jobs: Elon Musk says “AI and robots will replace all jobs. Working will be optional.” Bill Gates predicts humans “won’t be needed for much for most things.” These aren’t fringe opinions—these are the people building the technology.
On surveillance: Larry Ellison, the second richest person on Earth, envisions an AI-powered surveillance state where “citizens will be on their best behavior because we’re constantly recording and reporting everything.”
On control: Who benefits from this transformation? Right now, it’s the same people funding it—the wealthiest individuals on the planet, becoming even wealthier and more powerful.
Bernie’s right to sound the alarm. This is the reckoning we’ve been avoiding.
What Bernie Missed (And Why It Matters to You)
Moreover, here’s where the conversation gets more complicated—and more interesting.
While Bernie focuses on regulation and systemic change (which, yes, we need), he’s asking the wrong question for most of us. The question isn’t just “How do we stop this?” The question is: “How do I position myself to survive—and thrive—in this new reality?”
Finally, whether Congress acts or not, whether regulations pass or fail, AI is coming. The companies investing hundreds of billions aren’t going to stop. The breakthroughs aren’t slowing down. And the people who wait for politicians to save them are going to be the ones left behind.
Next, here’s what you need to understand:
1. AI Taking Jobs Isn’t About “Learning to Code” Anymore
The tired advice of “just learn tech skills” misses the point entirely. AI is replacing many tech jobs too. Software engineers are using AI to write code. Designers are using AI to create layouts. Even data analysts are being automated.
The real skill isn’t technical—it’s strategic positioning. It’s understanding where AI creates gaps, where human judgment still matters, and how to position yourself at that intersection.
2. The Wealth Gap Will Explode (Unless You Act Now)
Bernie’s right that the rich will get richer as AI taking jobs accelerates. Furthermore, what he doesn’t emphasize enough is this: there will also be a new class of wealth created.
Right now, we’re in the early innings. The people who figure out how to use AI to 10x their productivity, launch new ventures, or solve problems AI can’t touch yet—those are the people who will build serious wealth over the next decade.
The opportunity is still here, but the window is closing.
3. Your Career Insurance Policy Starts Today
Specifically, if your job is even remotely at risk (and if you’re honest, most of us are), you need to be building your escape route now. Not in five years when the pink slips start arriving. Now.
That means:
- Understanding which skills are truly AI-resistant (and which ones just feel safe but aren’t)
- Diversifying your income streams before you need to
- Building relationships and expertise in areas where human judgment, creativity, and emotional intelligence still matter
- Positioning yourself as someone who uses AI rather than competes with it
The Response: What You Can Do About AI Taking Jobs
Here’s the reality: you can’t control what Elon Musk does with his billions. You can’t stop the AI arms race. You can’t single-handedly regulate Big Tech.
But you can control how you respond.
In the next 90 days, here’s what you should focus on:
Audit your vulnerability. Be brutally honest: how much of your current job could be automated in the next 3-5 years? If it’s more than 50%, you need a plan—whether that’s upskilling, pivoting to a different role, or building alternative income streams. The goal isn’t to panic. It’s to prepare.
Identify your strategic advantage. What do you do that AI can’t replicate? Relationship-building? High-stakes decision-making under ambiguity? Creative problem-solving in complex human systems? Double down on those.
Start building your AI literacy. Not coding. Not becoming a data scientist. Funny enough, those aren’t as safe right now either. But understanding how AI works, where it’s powerful, where it’s weak, and how to use it as a tool rather than fear it as a competitor.
Create optionality. The worst position to be in is having one income stream that could disappear overnight. Start exploring side projects, consulting opportunities, or ways to monetize expertise you already have. Build your safety net before you need it.
Rethink wealth strategy. Traditional career ladders are breaking. The old playbook of “get a degree, work for 40 years, retire” doesn’t work in a world where entire industries can be disrupted in a decade. You need a new approach to building and protecting wealth.
The Uncomfortable Truth
Bernie Sanders is right to be concerned. The AI transformation is real, and it’s going to be messy.
Finally, here’s what the political conversation misses: waiting for systemic change is a luxury most of us can’t afford.
You can advocate for regulation and prepare yourself. You can push for democratic oversight and position yourself strategically. These aren’t mutually exclusive.
The people who win in the next decade won’t be the ones who hoped AI taking jobs would slow down or that politicians would save them. They’ll be the ones who saw the reckoning coming and responded with clarity, strategy, and action.
The question is: which group will you be in?