Political commentator Steve Hilton, who is also running as the Republican nominee for Governor of California, criticized AI-driven workplace firings after a San Francisco worker was allegedly fired by an AI system, pledging to prohibit such decisions in California.
Hilton Targets AI-Powered Firings
On Wednesday, Hilton said in a post on X that California should embrace technology while protecting workers from automated employment decisions.
He said, "I want California to lead the world in technology, but we MUST NOT let technology lead us."
Hilton proposed banning AI from deciding who gets "fired, disciplined, demoted, or deactivated." He also called for a named human decision-maker to hear a worker’s side before taking action.
"Losing access to the platform that provides your income is firing in all but name," Hilton said, referring to app-based workers.
He also proposed allowing workers to challenge AI-based employment decisions with the Labor Commissioner.
"In this case, the unions got it right," Hilton said, criticizing businesses that lobbied in favor of "robo-firings." "As governor, I’ll END this inhumanity and stand up for working people," Hilton said.
AI Reshaped Hiring and Career Growth
Earlier this year, Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) introduced Connect Talent, an AI-powered platform that automated high-volume hiring by screening and interviewing candidates. It also introduced "humorphism," a design approach focused on adapting AI to human workflows.
Accenture Plc (NYSE:ACN) CEO Julie Sweet had said that AI proficiency had become mandatory for career advancement after employees were given three years to adapt. A Gallup poll showed only 38% of companies had integrated AI into workplace operations in late 2025.
WeWork CEO John Santora and Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) CEO Hayden Brown had said AI had pressured entry-level hiring and increased demand for freelance and AI-skilled workers.
AI’s Impact on Jobs
More than 40% of U.S. workers were using AI on the job, raising concerns that overreliance could weaken critical thinking, creativity and workplace trust. Experts urged workers to use AI as a productivity and brainstorming tool while retaining human judgment.
Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci had said AI could shorten workweeks, create new jobs and increase the value of human interaction and empathy.
Earlier this year, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon warned that AI could disrupt jobs, and also indicated support for policies that encourage workforce retraining.
Image via Shutterstock/ Melnikov Dmitriy
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