US Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced legislation aimed at permanently banning the development and deployment of artificial superintelligence.
Sanders announced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act on September 3 alongside Democratic Representative Greg Casar of Texas.
The proposed legislation would also temporarily pause advanced AI development until a federal regulator establishes safety standards and oversight rules.
Global Agreement on Superintelligence
The bill would also direct the United States to work with other countries to prevent the development of superintelligent AI around the world.
Sanders argues that international cooperation is necessary because AI development is not limited to one country.
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He has warned that companies are moving rapidly toward increasingly powerful AI systems without sufficient guarantees that humans can control them.
Sanders Warns of Risks to Humanity
Sanders has repeatedly raised concerns about uncontrolled AI development.
He argues that advanced AI could threaten human freedom, security and jobs if companies develop systems that people cannot reliably control.
The Vermont senator has previously called on major technology companies to pause the development of increasingly powerful AI systems.
His latest legislation represents a stronger step. It seeks a permanent ban on superintelligent AI rather than only a temporary pause.
Greg Casar Supports Stronger Regulation
Representative Greg Casar, who is backing the legislation in the House, has also called for stronger AI oversight.
Casar has argued that AI is developing rapidly while government regulation remains far behind the technology.
He has compared the current level of AI regulation with everyday industries that face much stricter government oversight.
The lawmakers’ proposal comes as concerns about AI safety, job losses and the growing power of major technology companies continue to increase in the United States.
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Bill Faces Uncertain Future
The proposed ban is likely to face significant political and legislative challenges.
The legislation would impose major restrictions on one of the world’s fastest-growing technology sectors.
It would also require international cooperation to prevent superintelligence from being developed outside the United States.
The proposal therefore places AI safety at the center of a wider debate over technological progress, national security and human control.
