As AI continues to advance, along with the public’s anxiety about its risks, Representative Greg Casar (D-TX) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) are introducing the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act.
The bill does just what it sounds like it would – stop AI companies from building machines humans can’t control. The bill also calls for a pause on all advanced AI development projects until Congress presents a federal testing and oversight system.
“Experts are warning that AI superintelligence, wielded by the wrong humans or by rogue AI, could kill countless numbers of people,” Rep. Casar said. “But Donald Trump says he wants to encourage it. Something has to change.”
Just before lawmakers left Capitol Hill this week, they were hit with a major bombshell issue after multiple AI leaders and employees publicly called for Congress to regulate its allegedly dangerous technology. One former Anthropic researcher said AI could destroy humanity.
President Donald Trump has pushed back against calls for additional AI regulation. This week, in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, he said the technology, which he referred to as “Super Intelligence” (SI), is “amazing,” but that “we have to be careful.”
Some members of Congress do not share this same perspective.
“Our bill bans the development of artificial superintelligence and pushes for international agreements so that no one, anywhere, builds AI too powerful for humans to control,” Rep. Casar said, adding that the bill would halt dangerous AI capabilities like the development of biochemical weapons or other AI models.
Sen. Sanders said the rapid development of AI requires stronger government intervention, a move that he said is common sense.
“When you are racing towards a cliff, you don’t just ease up on the gas pedal,” he said. “You hit the brakes.”
Sen. Sanders stressed that the “future of humanity is at stake,” and lawmakers, though many focused on the upcoming midterm elections, must intervene.
“Congress must act now before it is too late,” Sen. Sanders said.
