November 1, 2025
Swipe left on Big AI?
Sanders: Government should break up OpenAI
Bernie wants OpenAI split; comments go full breakup drama
TLDR: Bernie Sanders wants the government to split OpenAI, warning AI could take jobs and hurt human connection. Comments exploded: fans cheer the trust-bust, skeptics ask “split into what,” and others say regulate bad behavior—not success—showing a sharp divide over how to handle Big AI and why it matters.
Sen. Bernie Sanders dropped the mic, saying the government should break up OpenAI — and the comments instantly turned into breakup drama. One fan called him a “sharp cookie” and half-joked he should run for president, while others went full trust-buster, insisting Google and Apple should’ve been split ages ago. Then the skeptics rolled in: “Break up into what? They have one product,” quipped one, pumping the brakes on fantasy enforcement. Pragmatists argued we should punish real lawbreaking, not companies for being “too good at being a company.”
Sanders warned AI is a “meteor” headed for jobs and relationships, railing against robot-run factories and the rise of the AI buddy you wear around your neck (yes, that wearable companion in NYC is a thing). Cue memes: “emotional support USB,” “digital Tamagotchi,” and “robo-choker” jokes flooded the thread. His shoutout of Musk, Bezos, and Ellison sparked class-war vibes, with some cheering “break them up,” and others eye-rolling at political theater.
Meanwhile, fact-checkers reminded everyone jobs data hasn’t shown AI layoffs yet, even as scary forecasts (like Anthropic’s CEO predicting entry-level jobs vanishing) stoke anxiety. Verdict from the crowd: Big AI deserves scrutiny, but the breakup talk needs receipts — and a plan that’s more than vibes.
Key Points
- •Bernie Sanders said the government should break up OpenAI in an Axios interview.
- •He warned AI could cause massive job losses and affect manufacturing, small businesses, and entry-level roles.
- •Sanders cited significant AI and robotics investments by Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Larry Ellison.
- •He expressed concern about AI companions, referencing products like Friend and their social impact.
- •Sanders highlighted risks of superintelligent AI, noting a statement by Bengio, Hinton, and Wozniak calling for a ban until safety consensus.