It’s easy to shudder when thinking about how people worked centuries ago. Today, most of us enjoy far better conditions—flexible jobs, safer workplaces, and the freedom to quit if we choose.
So, could work life improve even more? Supporters of the four-day workweek believe so. They argue that fewer hours would lead to more energized, focused, and productive workers.
Bernie Sanders is a leading voice pushing this idea. He believes AI should reduce workloads, not replace workers. His proposed “Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act” would require overtime pay beyond 32 hours, encouraging a shift to four working days.
Sanders says technology should give people more time with family, education, and life—not force them to work 40 hours. He plans for a gradual four-year rollout to help businesses adjust.
However, Sanders warns that AI could widen the gap between rich and poor, pointing out that the top 1% already hold far more wealth than most Americans. If AI continues to boost the fortunes of tech billionaires, he fears democracy and equality could weaken.