In Washington, D.C., Sen. Bernie Sanders (I‑VT) and Rep. Greg Casar (D‑TX) announced legislation that would ban the creation of artificial super‑intelligence and establish a federal Department of Artificial Intelligence to oversee advanced AI systems. The bill would also pause development of the most advanced AI until safety guidelines are adopted, with any future deployment requiring federal approval.
Bill Details and Support
The proposed law defines “artificial super‑intelligence” as a system that exceeds human cognitive ability and could potentially plan or execute actions that disempower humanity. Violations could carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison. Several AI‑industry employees have signed on in support, including Juan Felipe Cerón Uribe, a researcher at OpenAI’s Safety Systems, who warned that super‑intelligence could go “extremely right or extremely wrong,” and Swante Scholz, a software engineer at Google DeepMind, who called a ban “a positive change for the foreseeable future.”
Political Landscape
The proposal faces steep odds in a Republican‑controlled Congress, where many lawmakers have resisted sweeping AI regulations. President Donald Trump has publicly opposed calls for tighter oversight, arguing that excessive restrictions could hinder American competitiveness. At a recent United Nations General Assembly address, Trump suggested the term “artificial intelligence” be renamed “super intelligence,” underscoring his belief that the technology should be embraced rather than constrained.
Sanders criticized the President’s stance, saying Trump appears more concerned with the economic implications of a slowdown than with potential safety risks. Nonetheless, the administration’s position is presented as a defense of American innovation and job growth.
Public Concern Rising
A new Associated Press‑NORC poll shows that 53% of Americans are “extremely” or “very” concerned about AI’s environmental impacts, up from 41% a year ago. The increase reflects growing awareness of data‑center energy use and the broader ecological footprint of AI technologies.
State and Local Responses
While the federal bill moves through Congress, several states are taking their own steps. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced a plan to regulate AI, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to accelerate independent oversight of AI companies within the state.
Sanders also referenced past efforts, noting his June legislation to create a sovereign wealth fund financed by a one‑time tax on the largest AI companies’ stock. He argued that cooperation with China on AI safety could mirror Cold‑War nuclear arms‑control talks, citing Ronald Reagan’s willingness to negotiate with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev as a historic example.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
