US Senator Bernie Sanders has sounded a global alarm, branding artificial intelligence the “most consequential technology in the history of humanity” while warning it is being weaponized by the ultra-wealthy to consolidate power rather than uplift the working class.

Speaking on Sunday, the veteran lawmaker’s stark warning cuts through the technological hype, questioning how families will survive if algorithms replace human labor—a dilemma that looms large over Kenya, where the digital economy is a critical engine for youth employment.

Profit Over People

In a fiery appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Sanders did not mince words regarding the motivations behind the rapid deployment of AI. He explicitly linked the technology's expansion to the financial ambitions of the world's wealthiest individuals, singling out tech titans Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Peter Thiel.

“You think they’re staying up nights worrying about working people and how this technology will impact those people?” Sanders asked. “They are not. They are doing it to get richer and even more powerful.”

The Senator’s concerns strike a chord in developing economies. As global tech giants race toward a market valuation projected to hit trillions of dollars (hundreds of trillions of Kenya Shillings), the question of who benefits remains contentious. Sanders argued that without serious legislative intervention, the economic displacement caused by AI could be catastrophic.

“If there are no jobs and humans won’t be needed for most things, how do people get an income to feed their families, to get healthcare or to pay the rent?” he noted, emphasizing that the US Congress—much like parliaments globally—has yet to have “one serious word of discussion” about this reality.

The Human Disconnect

Beyond the economic fallout, Sanders highlighted a more insidious threat: the erosion of human connection. He pointed to emerging data suggesting a growing reliance on AI chatbots for emotional support, a trend that could fundamentally alter social fabrics.

“If this trend continues, what does it mean over the years when people are not getting their support, their interaction from other human beings, but from a machine?” Sanders queried. “What does that mean to humanity?”

This sentiment was echoed from across the aisle by Republican Senator Katie Britt. While Sanders focused on the economic and philosophical implications, Britt emphasized the immediate safety risks, proposing strict liability for AI companies that expose minors to harmful ideologies.

• The Core Dangers Identified:
• Economic Displacement: Mass automation without a social safety net.
• Wealth Concentration: Benefits flowing exclusively to tech oligarchs.
• Social Isolation: Replacing human empathy with algorithmic responses.
• Child Safety: Exposure of minors to unregulated, harmful content.

As the “Silicon Savannah” continues to position itself as a hub for African tech innovation, these warnings from Washington serve as a critical forecast. The debate is no longer just about code; it is about the future of work and the preservation of human dignity in an automated age.