Senator Bernard Sanders has put forth a compelling argument for a reduced workweek, suggesting that advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) should lead to shorter working hours rather than job insecurity.
Speaking on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, the Vermont independent emphasized, Youre a worker, your productivity is increasing because we give you AI, right? Instead of throwing you out on the street, Im going to reduce your workweek to 32 hours. Sanders, who introduced a bill advocating for a 32-hour workweek last year, insists that the benefits of AI should extend beyond corporate profits to enhance the lives of workers.
As reported by The Washington Times, Sanders' proposal aligns with a growing movement that views AI as an opportunity to improve work-life balance rather than a threat to employment. Juliet Schor, an economist and author of "Four Days a Week," highlighted the excitement within the four-day workweek community about AI's potential.
She told Axios, The ability of large language models like ChatGPT to wipe out millions of good-paying positions means we need to be intentional about how we adjust to that technology. Reducing hours per job is a powerful way to keep more people employed.
Sanders pointed out that some companies are already experimenting with shorter workweeks. By the way, not a radical idea there are companies around the world that are doing it with some success, he noted. One such company is Convictional, a software startup whose CEO, Roger Kirkness, transitioned his 12-person team to a four-day workweek without reducing pay. Kirkness encouraged his staff to look at Fridays like weekends, according to Axios. Software engineer Nick Wehner expressed his satisfaction, stating he was so happy with the increased efficiency AI tools have brought to his work.
Kirkness further explained that while AI accelerates coding, the most valuable work still requires human creativity and rest. He told his team, [Nearly] all that matters in work moving forward is the maximization of creativity, human judgment, emotional intelligence, prompting skills and deeply understanding a customer domain. None of those things correlate with hours.
Governments are also exploring the potential of shorter workweeks. In the United States, New York has become the 11th state to consider legislation for a pilot four-day week, and local governments nationwide are experimenting with reduced schedules, some reporting cost savings. Internationally, Spain has cut its national workweek to 37.5 hours, Tokyo has implemented a four-day schedule for public employees, and Poland has launched a pilot program, joining similar initiatives in the Dominican Republic, Scotland, Belgium, and Portugal.
Supporters like Sanders argue that the time is ripe to reevaluate work hours, drawing parallels to the early 20th-century push for a five-day workweek. Lets use technology to benefit workers, Sanders urged on the podcast. That means give you more time with your family, with your friends, for education, whatever the hell you wanna do.
The senator's vision underscores a broader conservative principle: empowering individuals to make the most of their time, fostering personal freedom and well-being in the face of technological change.
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