Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is once again taking aim at the San Francisco tech scene, this time targeting two AI startups that he believes represent a concerning trend in technological development.

In a recent Axios interview, Sanders expressed deep reservations about artificial intelligence’s impact on workers, describing its emergence as “a meteor coming to this planet”. His critique focused on two local startups: Friend, an AI pendant company, and Artisan, a sales automation tool.

Friend, known for its provocative billboard campaigns suggesting an AI device can replace human connections, drew particular scrutiny from Sanders. The senator warned about the potential psychological implications of such technology, especially in a society already experiencing significant emotional distress.

Artisan’s controversial “Stop Hiring Humans” marketing campaign similarly caught Sanders’ attention. The startup’s billboards and conference displays boldly proclaim the era of AI employees, a message that Sanders found deeply troubling. He pointedly questioned how displaced workers would survive in a job market increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence.

Both companies represent a growing trend in Silicon Valley: technology that potentially disrupts traditional employment and human interaction. While their CEOs argue these innovations are simply new forms of connection and efficiency, Sanders sees them as symptomatic of a larger problem of tech oligarchs prioritizing profit over human welfare.

The senator isn’t alone in his concerns. Colleagues like Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal have also begun proposing legislative measures to regulate AI’s expanding influence, particularly regarding potential impacts on younger generations.

As AI continues to evolve rapidly, the debate around its societal implications grows increasingly urgent. Sanders’ critique highlights the critical need for thoughtful consideration of how technological advancement intersects with human labor, connection, and economic sustainability.