Bernie Sanders proposes ban on AI superintelligence

US Senator Bernie Sanders is preparing legislation that would ban the development of artificial superintelligence and establish a sovereign wealth fund giving the federal government a 50% ownership stake in AI companies.

The independent senator, who typically works alongside Democratic colleagues, discussed his concerns about artificial intelligence "overtaking humanity" in an interview with BBC Newsnight, according to the BBC.

The legislative challenge ahead

Sanders faces significant obstacles to passing his proposed AI restrictions. The legislation would need approval from both chambers of Congress, currently controlled by Republicans, and require President Donald Trump's signature to become law.

The political landscape presents a complication: Trump has publicly supported government investment in AI companies, advocating for what he describes as "almost a partnership with the American public." This alignment on government involvement in AI, albeit with different mechanisms, suggests potential common ground despite partisan divides.

Why it matters

Sanders' proposal represents one of the most aggressive regulatory frameworks yet suggested for advanced AI systems by a sitting US lawmaker. While debates over AI safety typically focus on near-term harms like bias and misinformation, Sanders is targeting hypothetical superintelligent systems that don't yet exist. The 50% government stake proposal would fundamentally reshape the AI industry's ownership structure, potentially affecting companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google's DeepMind. Whether such sweeping intervention gains traction will signal how seriously Congress takes existential AI risks versus maintaining American competitiveness in the technology race.

Defining the scope

The senator's proposal centers on what he terms "AI superintelligence"—systems that would surpass human cognitive capabilities across most domains. The specific technical thresholds that would trigger the ban remain unclear from his public statements.

The sovereign wealth fund component would give American taxpayers direct financial interest in AI development, a model that differs from both the current private-sector-led approach and traditional government regulation.

Uncertain path forward

No timeline has been announced for when Sanders might formally introduce the legislation. Given the Republican majority in both the House and Senate, passage would require either bipartisan support or a significant shift in the political composition of Congress.

The proposal adds Sanders' voice to a growing chorus of policymakers worldwide grappling with how to govern increasingly powerful AI systems while maintaining innovation and economic competitiveness.

These details were first reported by the BBC.