Sanders Bill Would Ban Superintelligence and Create AI Oversight Agency

By Andrew Powell (/journals/andrew-powell)

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, are pushing legislation that would permanently prohibit the development and deployment of artificial superintelligence while temporarily pausing work on advanced AI systems. According to FOX Business, the proposal would also create a new Cabinet-level Department of Artificial Intelligence tasked with overseeing advanced AI and establishing federal safety standards. The lawmakers announced the measure as debate continues in Washington over how quickly the technology should develop and what safeguards should be required. Under the bill, development of advanced AI would remain paused until the new agency creates safety rules and a system for reviewing AI models. Advanced systems would then require federal approval before they could be deployed. The legislation defines artificial superintelligence as AI that exceeds human intelligence or possesses certain dangerous capabilities, including the ability to override or resist shutdown commands. The proposal also includes penalties for individuals and companies that violate or attempt to circumvent the restrictions. Individuals could face as much as 20 years in prison, while companies could face severe fines under the framework released by Sanders' office. The effort has received support from employees at major AI companies, including OpenAI and Google DeepMind, according to the Associated Press. OpenAI Safety Systems researcher Juan Felipe Cerón Uribe said superintelligence could produce either extremely positive or extremely negative consequences and argued that society should not take unnecessary risks. Sanders similarly told the AP, "It doesn't take a genius to say, 'slow it down.'" The proposal comes as the federal government faces competing arguments over AI safety and technological development. Opponents of broad restrictions have raised concerns that slowing U.S. development could leave the country behind China in a rapidly developing field. President Donald Trump has taken a different position, arguing against additional AI regulations while emphasizing the importance of maintaining U.S. technological leadership. During his United Nations address Tuesday, Trump said the United States would reject international efforts to impose what he called global control over AI and said the Justice Department could take legal action if necessary. Sanders' proposal also calls for the United States to pursue international agreements and cooperation with allies aimed at preventing artificial superintelligence from being developed anywhere in the world. Sanders has compared the issue to nuclear arms control and has called for international negotiations over AI safety. Watch the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHiurFcGiY8