Sanders and Casar propose federal ban on superintelligent AI

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) are preparing legislation that would ban the development and deployment of artificial superintelligence while pausing work on cutting-edge AI models until federal oversight mechanisms are in place.

The bill would prohibit superintelligence — AI systems with cognitive capabilities exceeding human intelligence — and freeze development of advanced models until a dedicated agency is created to monitor their capabilities and identify potential risks. The lawmakers positioned the effort as a response to recent AI-powered cyberattacks and concerns about technology companies losing control of their systems.

"Nearly every day, there is a frightening new story about how Big Tech companies are losing control of the technology they are developing, with potentially cataclysmic results," Sanders said in a statement. "It is irresponsible for society to allow them to move forward and make these products even more advanced."

Casar, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, framed superintelligence as a threat to national security and public safety. "Despite its potential deadly consequences, cutting edge AI technology is less regulated than the average food truck," he said.

Why it matters

The proposal represents the most aggressive congressional stance yet on AI development restrictions, but faces long odds in a divided Congress that has failed to advance any comprehensive AI legislation this session. The bill reflects growing progressive concern that AI advancement primarily benefits technology companies while threatening worker displacement and economic disruption. Sanders previously became the first member of Congress to call for a moratorium on AI data center construction.

Progressive positioning on AI policy

Both lawmakers have positioned themselves as leading voices warning about AI's economic impact on workers. In an earlier interview this year, Casar said Democrats were "in the wilderness" on AI issues and called for the party to become "AI populists" who "stand with working people who know in their gut that AI right now is just going to make a few billionaires into trillionaires while making millions of Americans poorer, less safe and less free."

The legislative push comes as Congress has made little progress on AI regulation this session, with members in both parties unable to coalesce around clear positions on safety reviews, regulations, and data center construction. There is minimal expectation that comprehensive AI legislation will pass before year's end.

The details were first reported by POLITICO.