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Sanders Backs Permanent Ban on Superintelligent AI Development
Bernie Sanders wants a new law to permanently ban superintelligent artificial intelligence.
Representative Greg Casar is also supporting the proposed bill.
The bill defines superintelligent AI as systems that can match or exceed people across many areas of thinking.
It would also pause advanced AI development until a federal safety agency is ready.
That agency would inspect powerful AI systems and enforce safety rules.
People who break the ban could receive up to 20 years in prison.
Companies that violate it could be shut down and dissolved.
Sanders says recent AI safety problems show that voluntary promises by technology companies are not enough.
The proposal would also seek international cooperation to stop superintelligent AI from being developed elsewhere.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar are backing the proposed Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act.
The bill would permanently prohibit developing or deploying artificial superintelligence and temporarily pause advanced AI development.
It would create a federal AI regulatory agency to oversee frontier models and enforce safety reviews.
Individuals who violate the ban could face up to 20 years in prison, while companies could be dissolved.
Sanders cited alleged AI safety failures and warnings from former researcher Jacob Coxon as reasons for the proposal.
- Who
- Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar are backing the proposed legislation; former researcher Jacob Coxon is cited as a source of safety warnings.
- What
- They are supporting the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, which would ban superintelligent AI, pause advanced AI development, and impose severe penalties for violations.
- Where
- The proposal concerns federal action in the United States and international efforts to prevent development of superintelligent AI worldwide.
- When
- The proposal and Sanders’s backing were reported on September 10, 2026.
- Why
- Sanders says unchecked AI development could create unmanageable and existential risks, citing warnings from engineers and alleged safety failures.
Key facts
- Proposed legislation
- Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act
- Sponsors
- Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar
- Main measure
- Permanent ban on developing or deploying artificial superintelligence
- Development pause
- Advanced AI development would be paused until a federal regulatory agency and model-review system are operational
- Maximum prison term
- Up to 20 years for individuals who circumvent the prohibition or develop illegal systems
- Corporate penalty
- Revocation of corporate charters, liquidation, and permanent cessation of operations
- International measures
- Treaties, allied coordination, and export controls to prevent global development
Sources
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