Bernie Sanders asks why claimed AI productivity isn’t creating 4-day work weeks

US Senator Bernie Sanders has argued that the claims of such high productivity increase thanks to AI should earn workers a four-day work week.

Speaking recently on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Senator Sanders said the tech industry’s claims of a productivity revolution thanks to AI tools say that tasks are completed faster and more gets done. So, why not match that with an extra day of the weekend for workers, he asked.

“Technology is gonna work to improve us, not just the people who own the technology and the CEOs of large corporations,” he told Rogan.

“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.”

Senator Sanders said the concept of a four-day work week is “not a radical idea”, pointing out that several organisations are already proving that it works. However, most four-day work weeks maintain the same weekly number of hours but condense them into four days.

Numerous Australian organisations have implemented or are trialling a four-day work week, including Bunnings and Medibank, which found that employees have improved satisfaction, wellbeing, and productivity.

“We’ve seen significant and sustained improvements in employee engagement, job satisfaction and the health and wellbeing of participants, while maintaining business performance and customer outcomes,” said Medibank group lead – people, spaces, and sustainability Kylie Bishop.

Furthermore, 61 UK companies in 2022 trialled a four-day work week. Of the 23 that reported financial data, revenue remained largely the same, with a 1.4 per cent average increase.

Microsoft Japan also moved to a four-day work week in 2019, resulting in a productivity increase of 40 per cent.

However, AI companies advertise their products to companies with the promise of increased productivity, leading to workers being able to free themselves up to do more or allowing them to cut staff and save money. Sanders argued that the time should be given back to employees.

“Let’s use technology to benefit workers,” he said.

“That means give you more time with your family, with your friends, for education, whatever the hell you wanna do.”